Superlative

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A superlative, in grammar, is an adjective describing a noun that is the premiere or best example of a given trait. In other words, a superlative describes a noun that has more of some quality than any other. Some examples:

  • the coldest day (i.e. the best example of a cold day, or the day that is colder than all the others)
  • the craziest man
  • the fluffiest cloud

In English, most superlatives can be formed by adding -EST to an existing adjective, like fluffiest, craziest or coldest. Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms, such as far ("furthest"). Still more adjectives have no superlative form, and the superlative is made simply by adding the adverb "most" before the adjective. For instance, one does not say "funnest," or "interestingest," but rather "most fun," and "most interesting." This is known as a superlative construction. Superlative constructions are used for almost all adjectives ending in "ing" (interesting, fascinating, disgusting, etc).