Question

Which suffix is commonly used to form the superlative degree of most adjectives in English?

• A. -er
• B. -ly
• C. -est
• D. -ing

Answer 1

Answer:

C. -est

Understanding Superlative Adjectives in English

• The superlative degree of an adjective is used to compare three or more items or people and to indicate which one has the highest degree of the quality. It signifies the 'most' of something.
• For most one-syllable adjectives and some two-syllable adjectives ending in -y, -er, -ow, or -le, the suffix -est is added to form the superlative degree. For example:
  • Tall → Tallest
  • Short → Shortest
  • Fast → Fastest
  • Happy → Happiest (note the change of 'y' to 'i')
  • Clever → Cleverest
• It is important to remember that the definite article 'the' almost always precedes a superlative adjective (e.g., the fastest car, the happiest person). This is a crucial rule for sentence construction in competitive exams.

• Adjectives Not Using -est:

  • For most two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y, -er, -ow, or -le, and all adjectives with three or more syllables, the word 'most' is placed before the adjective to form the superlative. For example:
    • Beautiful → Most Beautiful
    • Difficult → Most Difficult
    • Important → Most Important

• Irregular Superlative Forms:

  • Some common adjectives have irregular superlative forms that do not follow the -est or 'most' rules. These must be memorized for competitive exams:
    • Good → Best (not 'goodest' or 'most good')
    • Bad → Worst (not 'badest' or 'most bad')
    • Far → Farthest / Furthest ('Farthest' refers to physical distance, 'furthest' to metaphorical distance or extent.)
    • Little → Least
    • Much/Many → Most

• Common Errors to Avoid:

  • Do not use both 'most' and '-est' together (e.g., 'most tallest' is incorrect; it should be 'the tallest'). This is a frequent error tested in grammar sections.
  • Ensure correct spelling changes, especially for adjectives ending in -y (e.g., 'dry' becomes 'driest').

• Degrees of Comparison:

  • Positive Degree: The base form of the adjective (e.g., tall).
  • Comparative Degree: Used to compare two items or people, often formed with -er or 'more' (e.g., taller, more beautiful).
  • Superlative Degree: Used to compare three or more items or people, often formed with -est or 'most' (e.g., tallest, most beautiful).