Ute 108 1 1 1 216 Superlative (the longest / the most enjoyable etc.) Look at these examples: What is the longest riverin the world? ‘What was the most enjoyable holiday you've everhad? Longest and most enjoyable are superiative forms. The superlative form is-est or most .... In general, we use -est for short words and most... for longer words. long— longest hot—hottest easy—seasiest hard —> hardest but mostfamous most boring mostenjoyable most dificult ‘Afew supertative forms are irregular: good —> best bad—> worst far—> furthest orfarthest The rules are the same as those for the comparative - see Unit 105. For spelling, see Appendix . We normally use the (or my/your etc) with a superlative: (CO Yesterday was the hottest day of the year. ) The Louvrein Paris is one of the most famous museums in the world © Sheis really nice - one of the nicest people | know. © What's the best movieyou've ever seen, and what's the worst? © How old isyour youngest child? Compare the superlative and the comparative: This hotels the cheapest in town. (Superlative) It cheaper than all the othersin town. (comparative) ©) He'sthe most patient person I've ever met, Hes much more patient than lam. oldest and eldest The superlative of old is oldest: © That church isthe oldest buildingin the town. (not the eldest) We use eldest only when we talk about people in a family (you can also use oldest); Their eldest son is 13 years old. (or The'r oldest son) © Ate you the eldest in yourfamily? (orthe oldest) ‘After superlatives wenormally use in with places: — What's the longest riverin the world? (not of the world) ©. We had anice room, Itwas one of the best in the hotel. (not of the hotel) We also use in for organisations and groups of people (a class / @ company etc) (Who is the youngest student in the class? (notof the class) For a period of time (day, year etc), we normally use of: © Yesterday was the hottest day of the year. O) Whatwas the happiest day of your life? We often use the present perfect have done) after 2 superlative (see also Unit aA) © What'sthe most important decision you've ever made? ©) That was the best holiday I've had fora long time. (cheaper / more expen 105-107 _ elder -> Unit 106EUnity Exercises ay) of the words in the box. Complete the sentences Use the superative forms (-et or most bad cheap good honest popular short tall We didn’t have much money, so we stayed _-hotelin the town his building is 250 metres high, but it’s not. .-in the city Itwas an awful day. twas day of my life Whatis sport in your country? Like the morning, For me it’s. part of the day. people | know. \ce between two points. Sarah always tells the truth. She's one of Astraigt a ‘omplete the sentences. Use a superlative (-est or most ...) or a comparative (-er or more hotel in the town. (cheap) than all the othersin the town. (cheap) lay, but feel a 6 We stayed at Our hotel was Iwasn't feeling well yest today. (good) thing you've ever Bought? (expensive) _-. (comfortable 's 14 years old, (ol) | prefer this chair to the other one. Amy and Ben have three daughters. Who is the What's person you know? (old) way to get to the station? (quick) his the bus or the train? (quick) Ican remember when | was three years old. It's. memory. (early} Everest is mountain in the world. itis - than any other mountain. (high) 12._&: This knife isn’t very sharp. Do you have a one? B: No, it's. one have. (sharp) [EEE] complete the sentences. Use a superlative (est or most...) +a preposition (of or in). the hotel 1 Itsavvery good room. It's te. b 2 Brazil isa very large country. 3 Itwas a very happy day. 4 This isa very valuable painting. Its 5. Springis a very busy time for me. It's South America my life the museum, the year. In the following sentences use one of + a superlative + a preposition. 6 Its very good room. It's ..ane. he hotel. 7 He's very rich man. He’s one the country. 8 She's avery good student. She's the class. 9 Itwas avery bad experience, itwas my the world. 10 Isa very famous university. It's. [EEE] what do you say in these situa 1 You've just been to the cinema, The movie was extremely boring. You tell your friend: (boring / movie / ever / sec) That's ..the. most. borina movie. I've. ever seen ns? Use a superlative + ever. 2. Someone has just told you a joke which you think is very funny. You say: (funny /joke / ever / hear) That's 3. You're drinking coffee with a friend, It's really good coffee. You say: (good / coffee / ever / taste) This 4 You have just run ten kilometres. You've never run further than this. You say: (far /ever{ un) That 5 You gave up your job. Now you think this was a very bad mistake. You say. {bad f mistake / ever / make) it 6 Your friend meets a lot of people, some of them famous. You ask your friend (famous / person / ever / meet?) Who .. 217