Language is a fascinating and intricate tool for communication, and English, like any other language, comes with its own set of rules and nuances. One such nuance is the use of superlatives. Superlatives are used to describe an object at the upper or lower limit of a quality, often by comparing it to all others in a group. However, a common mistake that both native and non-native speakers make is the use of “double superlatives.” In this article, we will delve into what double superlatives are, why they are considered incorrect, and how to avoid them in your speech and writing.
Understanding Superlatives
Before we can understand double superlatives, it’s essential to have a firm grasp on what superlatives are. Superlatives are a form of adjectives and adverbs used to express the highest degree of a quality. For example, in the sentence “She is the smartest student in the class,” the word “smartest” is a superlative form of the adjective “smart.” Superlatives are typically formed in one of two ways:
1. By adding “-est” to the end of the adjective (e.g., smart becomes smartest).
2. By using the word “most” or “least” before the adjective (e.g., beautiful becomes most beautiful).
Superlatives are used when comparing more than two items or people. For example:
– “John is the tallest of the three brothers.”
– “This is the most interesting book I’ve ever read.”
What are Double Superlatives?
Double superlatives occur when a speaker or writer uses both “-est” and “most” or “least” to modify the same adjective or adverb. For example:
– Incorrect: “She is the most smartest student in the class.”
– Incorrect: “This is the least ugliest sweater I own.”
In these sentences, the adjectives “smartest” and “ugliest” already carry the superlative meaning, and adding “most” or “least” creates redundancy and is grammatically incorrect.
Why Double Superlatives are Considered Incorrect
The primary reason double superlatives are considered incorrect is that they are redundant. The “-est” suffix or the use of “most” or “least” already indicates that the adjective or adverb is in its superlative form. Adding another superlative marker is unnecessary and can make the sentence sound awkward or confusing.
For instance, in the sentence “She is the most smartest student in the class,” the word “smartest” already implies that no other student is smarter. Adding “most” is redundant because the superlative form “smartest” alone suffices to convey the intended meaning.
Common Examples of Double Superlatives
Here are some common examples where double superlatives might mistakenly be used:
– Incorrect: “He is the most fastest runner on the team.”
Correct: “He is the fastest runner on the team.”
– Incorrect: “This is the most easiest test I’ve ever taken.”
Correct: “This is the easiest test I’ve ever taken.”
– Incorrect: “That was the least best performance of the night.”
Correct: “That was the least impressive performance of the night.”
In each of these examples, the incorrect sentence uses a double superlative, while the correct sentence uses a single, appropriate superlative.
Historical Context of Double Superlatives
Interestingly, double superlatives were more common in older forms of English. In works by Shakespeare and other early modern English writers, you may encounter double superlatives. For example, in “Much Ado About Nothing,” Shakespeare writes, “the most unkindest cut of all.” While these instances were acceptable in historical contexts, modern English grammar rules have evolved to avoid such redundancies.
Tips for Avoiding Double Superlatives
Avoiding double superlatives is relatively straightforward once you are aware of them. Here are some tips to help you steer clear of this common grammatical error:
1. **Know the Superlative Forms:** Familiarize yourself with the correct superlative forms of common adjectives and adverbs. For example, “good” becomes “best,” “bad” becomes “worst,” “fast” becomes “fastest,” and so on.
2. **Use Only One Superlative Marker:** Remember that only one superlative marker (either “-est” or “most”/”least”) is needed to express the highest degree of a quality. For example, “most beautiful” is correct, but “most beautifulest” is not.
3. **Proofread Your Writing:** When writing, take the time to proofread your work. Look specifically for instances where you may have used a double superlative and correct them.
4. **Read Aloud:** Sometimes, reading your sentences aloud can help you catch awkward or redundant phrasing that you might miss when reading silently.
5. **Practice:** The more you practice using superlatives correctly, the more natural it will become. Try writing sentences using superlatives and check them for accuracy.
Exercises for Practice
Here are some exercises to help you practice identifying and correcting double superlatives:
**Exercise 1: Identify the Double Superlative**
Read the following sentences and identify if there is a double superlative. If there is, correct the sentence.
1. “She is the most nicest person I’ve ever met.”
2. “This is the most fastest way to get there.”
3. “He gave the most best speech of the evening.”
4. “That was the least worst movie I’ve seen this year.”
5. “She is the most smartest student in the class.”
**Answers:**
1. Incorrect: “She is the most nicest person I’ve ever met.”
Correct: “She is the nicest person I’ve ever met.”
2. Incorrect: “This is the most fastest way to get there.”
Correct: “This is the fastest way to get there.”
3. Incorrect: “He gave the most best speech of the evening.”
Correct: “He gave the best speech of the evening.”
4. Incorrect: “That was the least worst movie I’ve seen this year.”
Correct: “That was the least bad movie I’ve seen this year.”
5. Incorrect: “She is the most smartest student in the class.”
Correct: “She is the smartest student in the class.”
**Exercise 2: Create Correct Sentences**
Rewrite the following sentences to remove the double superlatives:
1. “This is the most easiest recipe in the book.”
2. “He is the most funniest comedian I’ve ever seen.”
3. “This is the least best option we have.”
4. “That was the most bravest thing I’ve ever done.”
5. “She gave the most worst excuse for being late.”
**Answers:**
1. “This is the easiest recipe in the book.”
2. “He is the funniest comedian I’ve ever seen.”
3. “This is the least good option we have.”
4. “That was the bravest thing I’ve ever done.”
5. “She gave the worst excuse for being late.”
Conclusion
Understanding and avoiding double superlatives is an essential aspect of mastering English grammar. While it might seem like a minor detail, using superlatives correctly can significantly improve the clarity and professionalism of your writing and speech. By familiarizing yourself with the correct forms of superlatives and practicing their proper use, you can avoid the common pitfall of double superlatives and communicate more effectively.
Remember, language is not just about following rules; it’s about clear and effective communication. Superlatives are a powerful tool for expressing the highest degree of a quality, and using them correctly ensures that your message is received as intended. So, keep practicing, stay mindful of double superlatives, and you’ll find that your language skills will continue to improve.
