a superlative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a superlative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the highest degree of comparison in adjectives or adverbs, often to describe something as the best, worst, or most in a particular category. Example: "She is the superlative example of dedication in our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A superlative speaker and briefer".

The New York Times

What a superlative shot!

The Guardian - Sport

And she made a superlative brisket.

The New York Times

Ferrari was providing a superlative performance.

The New York Times - Sports

This results in a superlative sandwich.

The New York Times - Magazine

She is a superlative songwriter.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, that was a superlative save.

The Guardian - Sport

A superlative, almost wordless film from Italy.

The Guardian - Film

anorexic is not a superlative of thin.

The Guardian

But in sport, everything is a superlative".

The Guardian - Sport

This is turning into a superlative round.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using it as an adjective, it functions as a strong synonym for 'excellent' or 'surpassing all others'.

Common error

Avoid using "a superlative" to describe something that is already absolute by definition. For example, describing an 'uniqueness' as "a superlative uniqueness" is redundant because unique already implies the highest degree.

Linguistic Context

In English, "a superlative" primarily functions as a noun phrase referring to the form of an adjective or adverb that expresses the highest degree of a quality. According to Ludwig AI, it is also frequently used as an adjective meaning 'of the highest quality' or 'surpassing all others'. It is often preceded by the indefinite article 'a' when introducing it as a descriptive category.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "a superlative" is a highly versatile and correct phrase used to denote the peak of quality or the grammatical extreme. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across elite publications. Whether you are describing "a superlative" performance in sports or the arts, or discussing the grammatical nuances of comparison, this phrase signals a high level of precision and sophistication. It is most effective when reserved for subjects that truly represent the highest degree of their kind, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in prestigious sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the highest degree

More explicit when referring to grammatical comparison

the ultimate

Emphasizes the final or most extreme point in a sequence

the best

A more common and less formal way to express the same idea

the utmost form

Focuses on the intensity or extreme nature of a quality

an incomparable

Focuses on the lack of any worthy rivals for comparison

an unsurpassed

Specifically refers to a record or quality that has not been beaten

a peerless

Suggests something stands alone without equal

a matchless

Emphasizes that no equivalent exists for the subject

a nonpareil

A formal and literary term meaning having no match or equal

the pinnacle

Metaphorical alternative suggesting the literal top point

FAQs

How do I use "a superlative" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun to describe a word form, as in 'The word fastest is "a superlative"', or as an adjective to describe quality, such as 'He gave "a superlative performance"'.

What can I say instead of "a superlative" when praising someone?

Depending on the intensity, you might use alternatives like "an outstanding", "a peerless" or "an exceptional".

Is it "a superlative" or "the superlative"?

Use "a" when referring to one instance out of many possible ones, like 'That is "a superlative example"'. Use "the" when referring to the specific grammatical concept or the single best item in a group.

What is the difference between "a superlative" and a comparative?

A comparative compares two things (e.g. "faster"), whereas "a superlative" compares three or more and denotes the highest degree (e.g. "fastest").