superlativeform

The superlative form is a grammatical degree used to express the highest quality within a defined set. It compares three or more items or states a property as the maximum in that group. It is closely related to the comparative form, which compares two items, and to the positive form, which states the base quality without comparison.

Formation: For many one-syllable adjectives and some adverbs, the usual method is to add -est (tall → tallest, fast → fastest). When the base ends with a single short vowel followed by a single consonant, the final consonant is often doubled before adding -est (big → biggest). For longer adjectives and most adverbs with two or more syllables, the superlative is formed with most (most beautiful, most carefully). Some two-syllable adjectives are irregular or may take either form depending on style; the preference in modern English is to use most.

Irregulars and usage: Irregular forms include good → best, bad → worst, far → farthest (farther is sometimes used for comparative or different meanings). The superlative combines with the definite article the to mark a particular item as maximal within a group: the tallest building, the most efficient method. Adverbially, the superlative can appear with most or, in short adverbs, with -est (the fastest, she spoke most clearly).

Usage notes: In descriptive writing, the superlative emphasizes a standout quality within a set. It should be used when there is clarity about the group being compared, and avoided when membership in the set is unclear or the comparison is subjective without a defined group.