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Questions tagged [superlative-degree]

The form of an adjective or adverb ending with "-est" or "most".

The superlative is a form of an adjective/adverb (typically carrying the suffix -est in English) used to mark the highest value for a particular property in comparison with others. For example, hardest is the superlative form of hard in "John is the hardest worker because he works hardest".

See the info for the tag for a general discussion of English comparatives and superlatives.

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How/when does one use "a most"?

I've recently come across a novel called A most wanted man, after which being curious I found a TV episode called A most unusual camera. Could someone shed some light on how to use "a most" and whether it has anything to do with "the most"?
Frantisek
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"A foremost" correct usage of this superlative?

Among the antiquities of a great nation, its tombs always hold a foremost place. Since foremost means "first in rank," how can something have a foremost place, and not the foremost place?
rxmnnxfpvg
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The [insert superlative]

I am working on diagramming sentences and I notice many have "the" plus a superlative; as, "He is the funniest," or "Which trots the fastest?" Why is "the" attached to these superlatives? What exactly is it modifying? I imagine in the first…
QMord
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How to phrase a sentence with reference to "Least Superlative"?

For instance if I have two younger sisters, named Alice, and Becky, for example. How do I describe the sister who is not youngest, but the other younger sister? Becky is my youngest sister. Alice is my next youngest sister? Least Young? Sister of…
AncientSwordRage
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Can we say " the most similar passages"?

A comparison of the most similar passages from this tradition could shed light, I hope, on the interpretation of the first Palladan monosyllabic substantive.
Noreen
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Superlatives - "in all" vs. "of all"

Example sentence: "He ran the fastest (of all) the anchors." - my coworker (an ESL teacher) wants to know specifically why we can't say "He ran the fastest (in all) the anchors". I feel like it may just be the set usage for superlatives but I was…
Mochi
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The most / most

He's most approachable first thing in the morning. I don't understand why I must use "most" and I can't use "The most". I have a little knowledge that "most" is an adverb which amplifies an adjective or a verb. And "the most" is an adjective…
Kiw
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One or anyone in superlatives?

In sentences with a superlative, which indefinite pronoun is more accurate: one or anyone? I'm referring to sentences such as: "It was the biggest cake one had ever seen." "It was the biggest cake anyone had ever seen." I'm assuming they are both…
Clara
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Is "the ugliest" a noun or an adjective?

In this sentence, is ugliest an adjective or a noun? He is the ugliest.
Kevin
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Can we say "Most Legendariest"?

I want to know if this sentence is correct. Can we say "Most Legendariest ....."? If not, what is the alternative I can use? Thank you very much.
Gihan
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Is it correct to say second maximum?

I've seen, "second largest" being used more often. Is there any special reason that, "second maximum", is not a correct thing expression? For example, if I have an array of numbers: 1,2,3, is it correct to state that 2 is the second maximum…
0user
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Superlative or not?

In the sentence In the time of full-blown financial crisis in the country's history the contingency measures undertaken by the bank's shareholders and the management proved insufficient. does the part in bold have an implied meaning of the most…
Баян Купи-ка
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Is 'most ugly' a correct term?

My friend recently said "My parents got me the most ugly Sherry glasses I've ever seen". He is a native English speaker and said that 'most ugly' in this context is correct even though I've always only heard the superlative as "ugliest".
Bharg
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Superlative: Correct way to use mix "most" and "-est" adjectives/adverbs?

To create a superlative, when multiple adjectives/adverbs are preceded by most*, but the latter adjective/adverbs should normally be written with the -est suffix, which one of the two following forms is correct/recommended: The most incredible and…
Erwin Mayer
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Good, Better, Best vs. High Higher Highest

The comparison in question isn't so much about Higher/Highest specifically, but why do we start with Good and not go to Gooder, Goodest? Edit: I was flagged a duplicate despite previous searching. I think I got a more satisfactory answer than has…
atxdba
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