Common mistake Short superlatives
When it comes to using superlatives, it's important to remember that English grammar has specific rules to follow. One common mistake that many people make is using the short superlative form incorrectly.
What is the short superlative form?
The short superlative form is used to compare three or more things and indicate that one is the highest or the lowest in a certain category. It is usually formed by adding -est to the end of an adjective or by using the words "most" or "least" before the adjective.
Correct usage:
- This is the fastest car I have ever driven.
- He is the tallest person in our class.
- She is the smartest student in the school.
Common mistake:
- This is the most fastest car I have ever driven.
As you can see in the example above, using both "most" and "fastest" together is redundant because "fastest" already indicates the superlative form.
How to avoid this mistake?
To avoid this common mistake, remember to use either the short superlative form (adjective + -est) or the long superlative form (most/least + adjective), but not both together.
A helpful tool: To make sure your grammar is correct, you can use a tool like Linguix grammar checker. It can help you identify and correct errors, including incorrect usage of short superlatives.
Short superlatives mistake examples
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Incorrect:This example is the most silly I have read.Correct:This example is the silliest I have read.
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Correct:These are the industries yielding the most rich people.
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Correct:The Lone Star State passed New York as home to the most big companies in the latest list compiled by Fortune magazine.
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Correct:Of us four, I eat the most old cheese.
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Correct:He is the person who knows the most old people.
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Correct:She is the student I am the most proud of.
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Correct:They went off into what appears to be the most fierce and unreal battle ever.
