Comparing one with a whole group

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A superlative identifies an extreme within a group: the smallest room or the most useful example. The comparison group can be explicit or understood. Good becomes best and bad becomes worst. The commonly introduces the superlative noun phrase.

Try the three exercise formats

Examples to compare

  • This is the smallest room in the building.
  • It is my best photograph.
  • Which of these three is the least expensive?

Watch the meaning and the limits

A superlative is a claim about the stated set, not every possible object. Use the cheapest of these three, rather than implying a worldwide comparison. Avoid double marking such as most smallest. Possessives can replace the: my best work.

Read each example aloud, then change one detail to make a sentence you could use. Continue with focused practice when you want a different set.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

Mistake: This is the most smallest room.

Use: This is the smallest room.

Smallest already marks the extreme of the group; do not add most.

Try the pattern

3 choose questions · 2 sentence completions · 2 word gaps. Read the reason after every answer. No timer.

Typed answers stay on this page. This guided set checks the requested construction; it does not judge general writing. Read the accepted answers and reasons.

Use it in your own sentence

Write one sentence about your own routine or situation. Check the subject, verb form and intended meaning against the rule above. A different sentence may need a different form: these exercises accept the reviewed answers for their stated context.

Try the next practice set, or choose another grammar point.

All drill answers and reasons

  1. Of these three rooms, this is the ___.

    Choices: smallest / smaller / most smallest

    Accepted: smallest

    The whole three-room set calls for a superlative.

  2. This is my ___ work. Use good’s superlative.

    Choices: best / better / gooder

    Accepted: best

    Best is the superlative of good.

  3. The ___ useful of these examples explains the whole form.

    Choices: most / more / many

    Accepted: most

    Most forms the superlative with useful.

  4. Complete using expensive: Of these three bags, this is ___ . Include the article.

    Accepted: the most expensive

    Use the most expensive to identify the extreme within the stated group.

  5. Complete using good: This is ___ photo. Include the possessive meaning belonging to me.

    Accepted: my best

    Good becomes best; my replaces the article before this noun.

  6. This is the ___ box in this set. Use the superlative of small.

    Accepted: smallest

    Small takes est for the superlative.

  7. Of these routes, this is the ___. Use the superlative of bad.

    Accepted: worst

    Bad has the irregular superlative worst.

Practice questions

How do the three exercise formats work?

Choose asks you to pick an answer. Complete the sentence asks you to type the missing phrase. Fill in the word asks for one word, or no article where stated. Every checked answer includes a reason.

Which typed answers are accepted?

Use the form and meaning requested in the prompt. Reviewed alternatives and contractions are accepted where they fit. Capital letters, surrounding spaces, straight or curly apostrophes and a final full stop, question mark or exclamation mark do not affect marking. The answer reference lists the accepted forms.

Are my typed answers sent or saved?

Typed answers stay on this page in your browser. They are not sent to the server or saved. If device progress is available, completing a set records only the activity and study points on this device.

Can this check my own writing or certify my level?

No. This is a small guided set with reviewed answers, not a general grammar checker or a level certificate. An unlisted answer does not mean it is always wrong in English. Read the prompt and the explanation for this construction.

Further reference: Cambridge English Grammar Today. The explanations, examples and exercises here are original; each lesson covers a useful pattern rather than every exception.