superlative

Grammar

Many adjectives can have three forms:

absolute	comparative	superlative
small	smaller	smallest
attractive	more attractive	most attractive

The comparative form is used when comparing two items; the superlative is used when there are more than two:She is smaller than her brother. (comparative) The smallest of the three specialist colleges, it has just over 150 full-time students, of whom about half come from Wales. (superlative) The superlative is formed in different ways according to the length of the base adjective. If it has one syllable, then the letters -est are added. If the word has three syllables or more then the word most is placed before the adjective: most attractive. Words of two syllables vary: some add -est and some use most. Some even do either, for example clever.Spelling: adding -est If the word ends in a consonant, add -est (quick becomes quickest). Words of one syllable with a short vowel sound and ending with a single consonant, double the consonant and add -est (sad becomes saddest). With words of one syllable ending in ‘l’, you normally do not double the ‘l’, but cruel becomes cruellest. If it ends in ‘e’, add -st (late becomes latest). If it ends in ‘y’, change the ‘y’ to an ‘i’ and add -est (happy becomes happiest).Classifying adjectivesSome adjectives are used to place nouns into groups or categories, for example nuclear and annual. Adjectives of this type do not have a comparative or superlative form. You cannot talk about a more nuclear power station or the most annual concert.