Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 108 · B1

Superlative (the longest, the most enjoyable etc.)

Short words take -est, longer ones most; best, worst and furthest are irregular. Superlatives normally take the, use in for places and groups and of for periods of time, and often pair with the present perfect: the best I've ever had.

Start the lesson

18Steps · about 30 minutes

In this lesson

-est or mostA1 screen of questions
the + superlativeB2 screens of questions
oldest and eldestC1 screen of questions
in for places and groups, of for timeD2 screens of questions
superlative + present perfectE2 screens of questions
Put it together+3 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 5

-est or most

Which is the highest mountain in Wales? Who's the funniest person you've ever met? Highest and funniest are superlatives.

Short words add -est: high, highest; big, biggest; funny, funniest. Longer words take most: most famous, most boring.

A handful are irregular: good, best; bad, worst; far, furthest (or farthest). The rules are the same as for the comparative (Unit 105).

  • What's the longest river in Britain?
  • Who's the funniest person you've ever met?

Point A · Extra practice

Write the superlative of the adjective in brackets.

  1. What's mountain in Wales? (high)

  2. Who's person you've ever met? (funny)

  3. It was holiday we've ever had. (enjoyable)

Point B of 5

the + superlative

A superlative normally takes the, or my, your and so on.

  • Saturday was the coldest night of the winter.
  • The Natural History Museum is one of the most popular museums in the world.
  • He's so generous, one of the kindest men I've met.
  • What's the best meal you've ever eaten, and what's the worst?
  • How old is your youngest?
  • This B&B is the cheapest in town. (superlative)
  • It's cheaper than every other shop in the village. (comparative)

Point B · Exercise 108.1 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with the superlative of a word from the box: bad, cheap, good, honest, popular, short, tall.

Use these

badcheapgoodhonestpopularshorttall

  1. Example

    Money was tight, so we booked the cheapest flight we could find.

    AnswerMoney was tight, so we booked the cheapest flight we could find.

  2. That tower is 150 metres high, but it isn't the building in the city.

  3. It was a terrible day. It was the day of my life.

  4. What's the sport in your country?

  5. I love the mornings. For me it's the part of the day.

Point B · Exercise 108.1 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with the superlative of a word from the box: bad, cheap, good, honest, popular, short, tall.

Use these

badcheapgoodhonestpopularshorttall

  1. Raj would never lie to you. He's one of the people I've ever met.

  2. A straight line is the distance between two points.

Point C of 5

oldest and eldest

The superlative of old is oldest. Eldest is only for people in a family, where oldest also works.

  • That pub is the oldest building in the village. (not the eldest)
  • Their eldest daughter is fifteen. (or Their oldest daughter)
  • Are you the eldest of your brothers and sisters?

Point C · Extra practice

Put in oldest or eldest. Sometimes both are right.

  1. The bridge is the structure in town. It's from 1180. (old)

  2. Their daughter has just started university.

  3. This is the tree in the park.

Point D of 5

in for places and groups, of for time

After a superlative, use in with places, and with organisations and groups (a class, a company). Use of with a period of time.

  • What's the highest mountain in Wales? (not of Wales)
  • That was one of the best seats in the theatre. (not of the theatre)
  • Who's the youngest player in the team? (not of the team)
  • Yesterday was the coldest day of the year.
  • What was the proudest moment of your life?

Point D · Exercise 108.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with a superlative + in or of. In 6 to 10, use one of + a superlative + in or of.

  1. Example

    That's a great seat. It's the best seat in the stadium.

    AnswerThat's a great seat. It's the best seat in the stadium.

  2. Example

    That's a great seat. It's one of the best seats in the stadium.

    AnswerThat's a great seat. It's one of the best seats in the stadium.

  3. Russia is a very big country. It's the the world.

  4. My graduation was a really proud day. It was the my life.

  5. That's an incredibly old tree. It's the the park.

  6. December is hectic in the shop. It's the the year.

Point D · Exercise 108.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with a superlative + in or of. In 6 to 10, use one of + a superlative + in or of.

  1. She's an extremely successful singer. She's one of the country.

  2. She's a very good student. She's one of the class.

  3. That was a really frightening flight. It was one of my life.

  4. It's a very famous university. It's one of the world.

Point E of 5

superlative + present perfect

A superlative is often followed by the present perfect (see Unit 8).

  • What's the biggest decision you've ever made?
  • That was the best meal I've eaten in months.

Point E · Exercise 108.4 · part 1 of 2

What would you say? Use a superlative + ever.

  1. Example

    You've just come out of the cinema. The film was mind-numbingly dull.

    (boring / film / ever / see)

    That's the most boring film I've ever seen.

    AnswerThat's the most boring film I've ever seen.

  2. Someone has just told you a joke you think is hilarious.

    (funny / joke / ever / hear)

  3. You're having tea with a friend. It's superb tea.

    (good / tea / ever / taste)

  4. You've just run fifteen kilometres. You've never run further.

    (far / ever / run)

  5. You left your job, and now you think it was a terrible mistake.

    (bad / mistake / ever / make)

Point E · Exercise 108.4 · part 2 of 2

What would you say? Use a superlative + ever.

  1. Your friend meets a lot of people, some of them famous. You ask:

    (famous / person / ever / meet?)

Put it together · Exercise 108.2 · part 1 of 3

Complete the sentences with a superlative or a comparative of the word in brackets.

  1. Example

    We stayed at the cheapest B&B in town. (cheap)

    AnswerWe stayed at the cheapest B&B in town.

  2. Example

    This shop was cheaper than every other shop in the village. (cheap)

    AnswerThis shop was cheaper than every other shop in the village.

  3. I had a cold on Monday, but I'm feeling a little now. (good)

  4. What's the thing you've ever bought? (expensive)

  5. I prefer this armchair to the other one. It's . (comfortable)

  6. Amy and Ben have three sons. The is fourteen. (old)

Put it together · Exercise 108.2 · part 2 of 3

Complete the sentences with a superlative or a comparative of the word in brackets.

  1. Who's the person you know? (old)

  2. What's the way to get to the hospital? (quick)

  3. Which is , the bus or the tram? (quick)

  4. I can remember being two. It's my memory. (early)

Put it together · Exercise 108.2 · part 3 of 3

Complete the sentences with a superlative or a comparative of the word in brackets.

  1. Ben Nevis is the mountain in Britain. It's any other mountain here. (high)

  2. A: This knife's blunt. Have you got a one? B: No, it's the one I've got. (sharp)

Lesson 108 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Word order 1: verb + object; place and timeBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. -est or most–Not checkedB. the + superlative–Not checkedC. oldest and eldest–Not checkedD. in for places and groups, of for time–Not checkedE. superlative + present perfect–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked