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Grammar:Superlative
pages 40-45Prepared by
Maali Hamdan
We use the superlative form of adjectives to show the highest degree of a particular quality that describes people, places, things, ideas, etc.
She is the kindest person I know.That is the most expensive restaurant in
Tel-Aviv.
There are two ways of making superlatives of adjectives.
A: the ________________ - est B. the most
In choosing which form of the superlative to use, we follow the same rules as with comparatives.
We use the______-est (or –st after an adjective ending in a vowel):
For one syllable adjectives.
Dan is the tallest boy in the class.
He is the nicest person I know. For two-syllable adjectives ending in y
funny-funniest
dirty-the dirtiest
silly-the silliest
Henry is the funniest person I know
For certain other two-syllable adjectives quiet-the quietest. simple-the simplest clever-the cleverest gentle-the gentlest feeble-the feeblest
The simplest solution is usually the best.
The spelling rules are the same as with the comparative forms (see page33)Adjective Comparativ
eSuperlative
long longer the longest
happy happier the happiest
hot hotter the hottest
cheap cheaper the cheapest
B) We use the most ______
For adjectives of three or more syllables. The adjective itself does not change its form. That is the most interesting exhibit in the
museum. We are in the most expensive restaurant in town.
For adjectives ending in –ed even if they have only one syllable. He was the most hated man in the company.
That’s the most debated subject nowadays.
For most two-syllable adjectives. That was the most boring movie of the festival.
Instead of the before superlatives, we can put the personal possessive pronouns (my, your, his, her, its, our, their).
This is my longest day of the week.Friday is their most relaxing day.
The adjectives that have irregular comparatives have irregular superlatives as well.
Adjective Comparative
Superlative
good better best
bad worse worst
far further furthest
little (size) smaller smallest
They are a bad group. They must be the worst in town.
Julie is not just a good singer. She’s probably the best soprano* in the opera company.
*1. The highest singing voice of a woman or young boy.
*2. A singer having such a voice.
Note
When we use one of +superlative, the noun is in the plural
This is one of the best films in town.
This is the best film in town
The least can be used in place of the most, with no change in the adjective. This is the least expensive hotel in town.
= There is no hotel as cheap as this one. He is the least clever person I know.
= I know nobody as stupid as he is.
NOTE the expressions at least, at (the) most:
His work is expensive, but at least he is honest.
I don’t think there’ll be any food. At most we’ll get a sandwich.
After superlatives, we use in with places (towns, countries, buildings, etc.) Which is the biggest city in Israel?
We have the best teacher in the school.
But we use of with other nouns:
Spring is the best time of the year.
She says that it’s the happiest day of her life.
Homework: Pages 41-44
PARTICIPLES (-ING, –ED) AS ADJECTIVESpage 45
Verb + ing
That was a boring movie.That lecturer was interesting.
The –ing form is an adjective. It describes a noun.We use the –ing form when the noun gives a feeling or performs an action
That was an exciting experience.
3rd form of the verb
They wanted to leave because they were bored.
They were interested in what the lecturer was saying.
The –ed form is an adjective. It describes a noun.We use –ed form when the noun feels something or is the receiver of an action
Look at the difference in meaning between these sentences.
Joe is boring. I hope he leaves soon.
Ran is bored. He wants to leave as soon as he can.
Homework
Pages 45+46