Sunday 20 December 2015

Good, Better, The Best: Superlatives

(copyright: National Geographic)

In the previous post, we looked at comparatives, comparing two or more things to each other. Today, we'll look at superlatives, where we compare one thing to many others.


 

Let's review comparatives using the photo above of the tiger shark and the free diver.

Tiger sharks are much bigger than people.  
They are also more dangerous than other sharks.



Now, for an example of superlatives.


Whale sharks are the biggest of all sharks,
 but, tiger sharks are the most dangerous sharks in the world.

Again, we're comparing one thing to all (or many) others. 

Short adjectives like big we add "est" to the word (big is a three letter word, so an extra "g" is added). For example: Hans is the tallest man in his family.

Long adjectives we put the words most or least before the word. For example: Barbados has the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Words like pretty the "y" becomes "i".


Try the exercises below to practice superlatives. Use the comments section for your answers if you like. 

Use the correct form of the superlative to complete the sentences below.



1/ Lamborghinis are the (expensive) sports cars in the world. 






 2/ Hamburgers are the (popular) fast food in the USA.




 3/ Mount Everest is the (high) mountain in the world.




4/  Shogun is the (long) book I have ever read: it has 1150 pages.




5/ Paris is the (romantic) city in the world.
It also has the (tasty) bread I've ever had. 


For more about superlative, check out ESL instructor Valen's lesson on EngVid below.







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