Concept in Definition ABC

Superlative is a term that expresses the excellence of something, that is, its maximum degree (it was a person effective in a superlative degree, it would be an example of a prayer in this sense). Sometimes it is used as a synonym for exaggerated or excessive and it is not necessarily something positive but it has unusual or disproportionate characteristics. Thus, it is said that a fashion accessory can be superlative.

In grammar

From a grammatical point of view, superlative is a type of adjective, with which it is indicated that the intensity of a quality is at its highest level. Let's think of an ordinary, bad adjective. In a superlative degree it becomes very bad and in the same way slow to very slow or easy to easy.

Using the prefix super we also transform adjectives into superlatives (super nice, super comfortable ...). In any case, these adjectives communicate a high degree, above normal. In this way, when speaking, a qualifying adjective is emphasized.

Some adverbs also serve to underline the superlative condition of an adjective (very pleasant) or it is also possible to convert an adjective into a adverb with the suffix mind (very quickly).

A way to guide comparison

The superlative is used to establish comparisons. Thus, if someone says "this watch is expensive but that one is very expensive" he is expressing a comparison regarding the price.

The effect of the superlative adjective on the communication consists of raising the quality of a noun. However, although the adverb muy and the suffix ísimo are very similar, they are not exactly the same. It is not the same to say very good, very good or very skinny than very skinny. The suffix ísimo communicates a degree with greater intensity.

The staunch ending-a

Some superlative adjectives are formed with the suffix érrimo-a, a Latin ending that although it is totally correct is not used. Let's look at some examples: poor-poor, famous-famous or free-free. These superlatives are rare in the language everyday and can be considered as a cultism. Its use is part of the language literary cultured and very sophisticated (for example, it appears in some speeches where you want to praise a person).

The ending-a is only applicable to certain adjectives, those that end in "re" and "ro", so applying them to other adjectives would be a anomaly grammatical (you can not say beautiful or easy).