LCH1109 Preparing for IELTS Grammar: Superlative Forms

Grammar: Superlative Forms

Examples They all work hard, but Ron works the hardest.
1–3 Ron is the cleverest student in my class.
Ron is the funniest student in my class.
‘hard’ (one-syllable adverb)  the + adverb + -est
‘clever’ (two-syllable adjective ending in -er)  the + adjective + -est
‘funny’ (two-syllable adjective ending in –y)  the + adjective + -est
Example Learning attitude is the most important factor in Ron’s academic success.
4 ‘important’ (more than two syllables)  the most + adjective
Examples The least fun part in the graduation dinner is the opening speech by the school
5–7 principal.
The least lazy student is Ron.
The least important factor in academic success is intelligent quotient (IQ).
the least + adjective (one/two/more syllables) = something is less than
everything else.
Examples The oldest age group (85 or above) ate the least amount of food.
8–9 The receptionist received the lowest number of phone calls from customers on
Mondays.
We DON’T use ‘lowest’ with ‘amount’, and we DON’T use ‘least’ with ‘number’.
The oldest age group (85 or above) ate the lowest amount of food. (WRONG)
The receptionist received the least number of phone calls from customers on
Mondays. (WRONG)
Example The second most important reason for emigrating is work opportunities.
10 We can use ‘the second’, ‘the third’, ‘the fourth’, etc. with superlatives.
Examples Getting useful qualifications is by far the most important reason for studying
11 – 12 abroad.
The job was much harder than I expected.
by far + ‘the most important’ = to express a big difference
much + ‘harder’ = to express a big difference
Example CUHK is not quite the oldest university in Hong Kong.
13 not quite + ‘the oldest’ = to say something is a little less than the oldest
Examples Festival Walk is one of the largest shopping malls in Hong Kong.
14 – 15 Luxembourg is among the smallest countries in the world.
We may use ‘one of …’ / ‘among …’ to say something is part of a group of the
largest, smallest, etc.
Examples Mousse is my least favorite dessert.
16 – 17 Ice cream is my favorite dessert.
We DON’T use ‘most’ with ‘favorite’.
Ice cream is my most favorite dessert. (WRONG)

Reference: Brook-Hart, G., & Jakeman, V. (2013). Complete IELTS bands 6.5-7.5 student’s book
with answers. Cambridge University Press. (p.119)

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