Superlative Adjectives Formation

There are two ways to form superlative adjectives, depending on the length of the adjective.

The number of syllables the adjectives contain determines if -est is added to the end of the adjective, or if "most" or "least" is added before the adjective.

The chart below is a guide to help you understand the correct structure of superlative adjectives.

English Superlative Adjectives Rules
-est is added to the end of a 1-syllable adjective	cold - coldest small - smallest tall - tallest	This winter is the coldest, that I can remember. The green hat is the smallest hat in the store. I am the tallest, in my class
2 syllable adjectives the -y is change to -i. and add -est to the end of an adjective	early - earliest happy - happiest crazy - craziest	Today is the earliest that I came home all week. She is the happiest, I have been seen her. I have the craziest dog, I have ever seen.
"most" or "least" are used for adjectives that have 2 or more syllables and don't end in -y	honest - most honest modern - more modern	The policeman are the most honest people that I know. Our generation is the most modern.
"most" and "least" are used for adjectives that contain 3 or more syllables	expensive - most expensive difficult - most difficult comfortable - most comfortable	That is the most expensive dress in the store. This problem is the most difficult, that I have had to solve in my life. These shoes are the most comfortable.
Adjectives ending in -e, only -r is added to end of the adjective.	nice -nicest safe -safest	Your family is the nicest that I have ever met. This car is the safest on the market.
Adjectives that end in a consonant, vowel, consonant - the last consonant is doubled and -est is added to the end of the adjective.	big -biggest fat- fattest hot -hottest	My house is the biggest on the block. My cat is the fattest cat on the block. The summer is the hottest time of the year.