The superlative form of 'near' is nearest.
The superlative degree of an adjective or adverb is used to express the highest or lowest degree of a quality among three or more items being compared. It indicates that something possesses a particular characteristic to the greatest extent.
Understanding Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs
Most adjectives and adverbs change their form to show degrees of comparison. There are typically three degrees:
- Positive Degree: The basic form of the adjective or adverb, describing a quality without comparison (e.g., near, fast, happy).
- Comparative Degree: Used to compare two items, indicating that one possesses a quality to a greater or lesser extent than the other (e.g., nearer, faster, happier).
- Superlative Degree: Used to compare three or more items, indicating that one possesses the quality to the greatest or least extent among them (e.g., nearest, fastest, happiest).
For single-syllable adjectives and adverbs like 'near', the superlative form is usually created by adding the suffix -est.
Forms of 'Near'
Here's a breakdown of the different forms of 'near' across the degrees of comparison:
| Degree | Form | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | near | My house is near the city center. |
| Comparative | nearer | The grocery store is nearer than the mall. |
| Superlative | nearest | The bus stop is the nearest public transport. |
As confirmed, nearest is the superlative form of near. This form is typically used when describing something that is at the shortest distance from a specific point, person, or group.
Practical Usage of 'Nearest'
The superlative form nearest is commonly used in everyday language to denote extreme proximity. Here are some examples of its practical application:
- Physical Distance:
- "Could you tell me where the nearest gas station is?"
- "She chose the route that would take her past the nearest coffee shop."
- Figurative Proximity (Closeness in Relationship):
- "Among all her relatives, her sister was her nearest confidante."
- "He shared the news with his nearest and dearest friends first."
- Closest in Kind or Likeness:
- "This painting is the nearest thing we have to the original."
When using nearest, it implies a comparison among several options to identify the one that is closest in proximity or relationship.
