Superlatives
Say which is the biggest, the best or the most interesting in a group.
In this lesson you will
- Form superlatives
- Use the + superlative + in/of
- Use superlatives with the present perfect: the best film I’ve ever seen
Learn
Short adjectives: the + -est: the tallest, the biggest, the happiest. Long adjectives: the most: the most expensive.
Irregular: good → the best, bad → the worst, far → the furthest.
Use in with places and groups (the tallest building in* the world, the best player in the team) and of* with periods or numbers (the best day of* my life, the cheapest of the three*).
Superlative + present perfect + ever: It’s the best film I’ve ever seen.
Examples
- Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
- This is the most beautiful beach I’ve ever visited.
- That was the worst meal of my life.
- She’s the youngest of three sisters.
Vocabulary
the best
better than all others
the worst
worse than all others
in the world
on Earth
ever
at any time
of all
compared with every one
Practice
Complete the sentence.
Speaking
Talk about “the best and worst”: the best trip you’ve ever taken, the worst food you’ve ever tried, the most interesting person you know.
Writing
Write about your country’s most interesting places: the biggest city, the most beautiful place, the best food (60–80 words).
Lesson quiz
It’s the ___ building in town.
Review
Key points
- the + -est / the most.
- best, worst, furthest.
- in + place/group; of + period/number.
- …I’ve ever + participle.
What you learned
- ✓ I can form superlatives.
- ✓ I can use in and of correctly.
- ✓ I can say the best … I’ve ever …
Grammar reference: Comparatives and superlatives