What is a superlative comparison?

Answer 1

Think of it as good, better, best. As you move from positive to comparative and superlative you are increasing the number of others in the class that are being talked about.

Ex. Soft, Softer, Softest: This toilet paper is soft. But between these two kinds, this kind is softer. And when we compare it to two or more others, we find that it is the softest.

It is a common mistake to think that an object you use the superlative with must be superior in that quality to an object you use the positive with. That is not true. A superlative is only superior in that quality with respect to the other objects it is compared to.

For example: "Rabbit fur is soft. I'd much rather have underwear made out of it than out of the softest sandpaper." The positive "soft" is applied to the rabbit fur, and the superlative "softest" is applied to the sandpaper. Of course it is superlative only when compared to other sandpaper.

Answer 2

The positive degree of comparison of an adjective is the form that simply states whatever the adjective is. No comparison with anything else is involved:

'Peter was happy.'

'The grass is green.'

'My aunt is thin.'

Answer 3

And the greatest of these is Love. Greatest is the superlative form of great.