superlative

A ‘superlative’ can be an adjective phrase or adverb phrase.

Superlatives express the highest or a very high degree of a quality.

HAVE NOT + noun phrase

English grammar tells us that: I haven’t got a clue. I don’t have a clue. are the correct ways to express negative possession.  However, there is the rarer, older British sounding: I haven’t a clue. Notice that a superlative phrase is common to give emphasis: I haven’t the slightest idea how he works. listen Here are the search results from […]

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superlative + YET

“yet” is an adverb that means “up to now” or “so far”. It is used to emphasize that something is the most extreme or the latest in a series of events or states. It usually comes at the end of the sentence after a superlative adjective like “best”, “biggest”, “largest”, or “worst”. For example, “This

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at ITS best

In general, the phrase “at its best” is used to convey the idea that something is performing or being experienced at the highest possible level. It is a way of saying that something is as good as it can possibly be.

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far superlative

The irregular superlative adverb or adjective of ‘far‘ is ‘farthest‘ or ‘furthest.’  For example: If I take one more step, it’ll be the farthest away from home I’ve ever been.   From the furthest corners of the world where the dark arts still hold sway,  he returns to us to demonstrate how nature‘s laws may be bent. listen In the English Vocabulary Profile, at A2, ‘far‘ as an adverb means: at, to or from a great distance in space or time It is also listed at B2 as an adjective

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THE LEAST

Here are expert examples of negation + ‘the least‘: I’m not in the least bit religious. Listen to this sentence Well, aren’t you the least bit curious  as to how I can be talking to you on the phone right now  when I ‘m supposed to be taped to a chair? listen C2 Point 28 in the category of NEGATION is defined: ‘IN THE LEAST’ after a negative form for emphasis. A search in iWeb: 1 NOT SURPRISED

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doubling final consonant + -EST biggest hottest

In the English Grammar Profile, A2 point 13 in the category of ADJECTIVES/superlatives: one syllable with a short vowel, by doubling the final consonant and adding ‘est’ PELIC STUDENT EXAMPLE: Consequently, Darwin’s theory on survival of the fittest no longer applies to humans. Survival of the fittest mainly relies on nature or predators to eliminate the young, old, weak or unfit,  yet humans today no longer fear animal attacks or blizzards. Chinese level 5 writing class. Here are the superlatives we found in a search in iWeb corpus for: _JJT 4

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pre-modified superlative phrase

Here are more advanced examples of premodified superlative phrases: It‘s the next best thing to having you beside me. listen It was the second-largest gold rush in American history. Rat Race Note, the phrase “the second largest” is a compound modifier, where “second” modifies “largest”. It usually takes a hyphen before its noun. US customs officials report that  tomato smuggling is at its highest level  since the Great Tomato War. listen its = B2 possessive determiner   In the English Grammar Profile,

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the best + PRONOUN + can | could

Here are 2 examples of post-modifying a superlative adverb phrase with a clause containing an ellipted modal verb: I do the best I can with what I have. I go about my business, make money, help society the best I can and try to promote free trade in this world. listen   You know, I did the best I could with what I had. listen C1 English Grammar Profile point 118 in the category of CLAUSES is defined as: ‘the best’ as a superlative adverb + pronoun + ellipted ‘can’ or ‘could’.

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superlative + noun + postmodifier

Here are examples of superlative phrases post-modified.   Daily Telegraph You‘re taught how to run in the most efficient way possible to make it feel easy. You’re the best choice by far. Listen A year ago, Amy being pregnant would have been the best thing ever! listen C1 point 68 in the category of adjectives is defined as: postmodifier to make the superlative stronger, in the structure superlative + noun + postmodifier ‘possible’, ‘ever’, ‘by far’ For example: It’s one of the most influential artworks ever made. A

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(one of | some of | among ) the + SUPERLATIVE + PLURAL NOUN

The grammar “one | some + of the + SUPERLATIVE + PLURAL NOUN” is used to describe something that is among the best or most extreme of its kind. The word “one” or “some” can be used to indicate that the thing being described is only one of a few, while the word “of” indicates that the thing is part of a larger group. The superlative adjective is used to compare the thing being described to all other things of its kind, and the plural noun indicates that the thing is more than one.

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the best + NOUN + to INFINITVE

Regardless of what your government decides,  the best way to prevent food waste  is to eat what you buy! TED In this sentence, “the best way to prevent food waste” means the most effective or desirable method that can avoid throwing away food that could be eaten. This highlighted pattern can replace a defining relative clause that identifies the noun. For example: She is the best teacher to

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