English grammar
The most... / the -est... in
Say something is the most, or the -est, in a group.
From the scene The most beautiful village
In short
Short adjectives take the -est, long ones take the most: the funniest, the most beautiful in the world.
Your turn
Which one goes with short adjective: the -est?
Options: the funniest in the family · the most beautiful in the world (not "of the world") · the smartest (not "the most smart")
Show answer
short adjective: the -est → the funniest in the family
How it works
For the top of a group use the + -est with short adjectives (the funniest, the smartest, the oldest) and the most + long adjectives (the most beautiful).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
It's (blank) beautiful village in the world.
Options: most · the more · the most
Show answer
It's the most beautiful village in the world.
Es el pueblo más bonito del mundo.
Good to know
Don't use most with these: not "the most funny" or "the most big", and never both ("the most funniest").
Good to know
Keep the, and use in with a place or group: the most beautiful village in the world (not "of the world").
long adjective: the most the most beautiful in the world (not "of the world")
Elena
The most beautiful in the world? Wow!
¿El más bonito del mundo? ¡Vaya!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)? Wow!
Options: The funniest in the family · The smartest · The most beautiful in the world
Show answer
Elena
The most beautiful in the world? Wow!
¿El más bonito del mundo? ¡Vaya!
short adjective: the -est the funniest in the family
Nuria
And he's the funniest in the family.
Y es el más gracioso de la familia.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And he's (blank).
Options: the most beautiful in the world · the smartest · the funniest in the family
Show answer
Nuria
And he's the funniest in the family.
Y es el más gracioso de la familia.
-est alone, no most the smartest (not "the most smart")
Nuria
That's what he says. But I'm the smartest.
Eso dice él. Pero yo soy la más lista.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
That's what he says. But I'm (blank).
Options: the smartest · the most beautiful in the world · the funniest in the family
Show answer
Nuria
That's what he says. But I'm the smartest.
Eso dice él. Pero yo soy la más lista.
comparing two people older / younger
Elena
And your brother? Is he older or younger?
¿Y tu hermano? ¿Es mayor o menor?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And your brother? Is he older or (blank)?
Options: the most beautiful in the world · the funniest in the family · younger
Show answer
Elena
And your brother? Is he older or younger?
¿Y tu hermano? ¿Es mayor o menor?
Common mistake
Not more old or elder here. Add -er to short adjectives.
And your brother? Is he older or younger?
¿Y tu hermano? ¿Es mayor o menor?
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| long adjective: the most | the most beautiful in the world (not "of the world") |
|---|---|
| short adjective: the -est | the funniest in the family |
| -est alone, no most | the smartest (not "the most smart") |
| comparing two people | older / younger |
More lines from the story
- NuriaIt's the most beautiful village in the world.Es el pueblo más bonito del mundo.
- NuriaDiego is older. He's thirty-five years old.Diego es mayor. Tiene treinta y cinco años.