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Superlative Adjectives

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Superlative Adjectives
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1G

Basics on the topic Superlative Adjectives

Let's learn about superlative adjectives with Koko and Pip!

Transcript Superlative Adjectives

"And then you turned into a dinosaur and I woke up!" "That dream sounds very peculiar. Speaking of the toy store, I need to get some toys to match THESE superlative adjectives. Want to come!?" "Sure, but what's a superlative adjective?" Let's find out by learning about... Superlative Adjectives. Adjectives are used to DESCRIBE or MODIFY a noun to help communicate a clearer picture. SUPERLATIVE adjectives are used to compare characteristics between MORE THAN two nouns, highlighting their differences based on a shared characteristic. When using these, we follow RULES and PATTERNS. There are separate rules for adjectives with one, (...) two, (...), and three syllables(...)... and we usually add 'the' to the beginning of regular superlative adjectives. The rules for one-syllable adjectives say... if the adjective has ONE syllable, (...) or one single unbroken sound, add the article 'THE' and the suffix to the end. For example, Koko needs to compare the sizes of the stuffed animals using the adjective 'short'. Since 'short' has one syllable... it changes to the superlative form by adding 'the' and the suffix , making it 'the shortest'. If an adjective has one syllable AND ends with an , (...) add 'the' and the suffix So if Koko wants to compare the color of the doll's dresses using 'blue', she can change it to the superlative form 'the bluest'. If an adjective has one syllable AND ends with a single consonant with a single vowel before it... (...) double the consonant and add 'the' and the suffix . For example, 'Koko found the fattest squishy.' The rules for two-syllable adjectives say you can make them superlative by adding the words ' the most'. Koko found the MOST peaceful dinosaur.' If a two-syllable adjective ends with : add 'the', drop the , and add to the end. In the sentence, 'Koko is looking for the happiest toy.', happiest is the superlative form of happy. If a two-syllable adjective ends with , add 'the', and then drop the , and add to the end. For example, the superlative form of 'higher' is 'the highest'. If a two-syllable adjective ends with , add 'the' and then add to the end. The superlative form of 'gentle' is 'the gentlest'... And, if a two-syllable adjective ends with , add 'the' and then to the end. The superlative form of 'narrow' is 'the narrowest'. For adjectives with THREE syllables, we make them superlative by adding 'the most' before it. For example, 'Koko wants to find the MOST unfriendly robot.' However, there are some adjectives that don't follow ANY of these rules (...) we call these IRREGULAR superlative adjectives. That means, we need to memorize how to make each of these superlative! Here are SOME examples: changing old to the oldest...(...) bad to the worst...(...) far to the farthest...(...) little to the least...(...) many to the most...(...) and good to the best. For example, 'Koko thinks this castle tent has the best design out of all the tents.' Before we see Koko's final choices, let's summarize! SUPERLATIVE adjectives are used to compare characteristics between MORE THAN two nouns. Regular superlative adjectives follow rules and patterns based on the number of syllables... while irregular superlative adjectives don't follow any rules, so we need to memorize how to make each of these superlative! "Finally, I'm ready to check out." [Koko notices she's holding a stuffed animal version of Pip and looks at it in horror] [Camera zooms out to show store is filled with all stuffed Pip's on the shelf] "Hello, Koko." "Phew, that was peculiar!"

Superlative Adjectives exercise

Would you like to apply the knowledge you’ve learned? You can review and practice it with the tasks for the video Superlative Adjectives.
  • Find the superlative adjectives.

    Hints

    There are three superlative adjectives in the text.

    We add the article the and the suffix -est to some superlative adjectives.

    Some examples of superlative adjectives are: the newest, the worst, the most exciting.

    To form a superlative adjective from a two-syllable word, we add the words the most before the adjective.

    The adjective more responsible is not a superlative adjective. It is a comparative adjective.

    Solution

    There are three superlative adjectives in the text: the happiest, the most responsible, and the best.

  • What is a superlative adjective?

    Hints

    Superlative adjectives are not used to compare two actions.

    An example of a superlative adjective in a sentence is: That chocolate cake is the biggest cake in our bakery.

    Solution

    Superlative adjectives are used to compare characteristics between more than two nouns, highlighting their differences based on a shared characteristic.

    For example, when Koko is looking for the happiest toy, she is comparing three toys, which is more than two.

  • Which superlative adjectives are correct?

    Hints

    The rules for two-syllable adjectives say you can make them superlative by adding the words the most. Do not add the suffix -est.

    For example: the most famous.

    If the adjective has two syllables and it ends with -y, we drop the -y and add the article the and the suffix -iest to the end.

    For example: the sunniest.

    Some superlative adjectives are irregular, which means they do not follow standard rules:

    • good - the best
    • bad - the worst
    • far - the farthest
    • little - the least
    • many - the most

    Solution

    Correct:

    • the smartest
    • the hottest
    • the least
    • the rudest
    • the most exciting
    Incorrect:
    • the helpfulest (should be the most helpful)
    • the goodest (should be the best)
    • the bigest (should be the biggest)
    • the funnyest (should be the funniest)
    • the most smallest (should be the smallest)

  • Match the rules with examples.

    Hints

    If the adjective has one syllable, add the article the and the suffix -est to the end.

    For example: low - the lowest

    If the adjective has one syllable and it ends with a single consonant with a single vowel before it, we add the article the and the suffix -est and double the consonant.

    For example: fat - the fattest

    If the adjective has two syllables and it ends with -y, we drop the -y and add the article the and the suffix -iest to the end.

    For example: angry - the angriest

    To most adjectives that have two or more syllables, we add the words the most before the adjective:

    For example: interesting - the most interesting

    Solution
    • If the adjective has one syllable, add the article the and the suffix -est to the end: cold - the coldest, strong - the strongest, tall - the tallest.
    • If the adjective has one syllable and it ends with -e, we add the article the and the suffix -st to the end: blue - the bluest, cute - the cutest, safe - the safest.
    • If the adjective has one syllable and it ends with a single consonant with a single vowel before it, we add the article the and the suffix -est and double the consonant: hot - the hottest, big - the biggest, thin - the thinnest.
    • If the adjective has two syllables and it ends with -y, we drop the -y and add the article the and the suffix -iest to the end: happy - the happiest, funny - the funniest, busy - the busiest.
    • To most adjectives that have two or more syllables, we add the words the most before the adjective: beautiful - the most beautiful, peaceful - the most peaceful, important - the most important.
  • Select the superlative adjectives.

    Hints

    If the adjective has one syllable, we add the article the and the suffix -est to the end of the adjective.

    If the adjective has two or more syllables, we add the words the most before the adjective.

    There are some irregular superlative adjectives such as: bad - the worst, good - the best, little - the least, far - the farthest.

    Solution

    There are three superlative adjectives: the most exciting, the worst, and the longest.

  • Fill in the gaps.

    Hints

    If the adjective has one syllable and it ends with a single consonant with a single vowel before it, we add the article the and the suffix -est and double the consonant.

    If the adjective has two syllables and it ends with -y, we drop the -y and add the article the and the suffix -iest to the end.

    To most adjectives that have two or more syllables, we add the words the most before the adjective.

    Make sure to add the article the before every superlative adjective.

    Solution
    • warm - the warmest
    • rude - the rudest
    • sad - the saddest
    • dirty - the dirtiest
    • narrow - the narrowest
    • amazing - the most amazing
    • bad - the worst