Video narration
In a race, how do you know whether to say fast, faster, or fastest? Start with one runner. "Mia is fast." There is no comparison yet. This is the positive degree: it simply describes one thing. Now compare two runners: "Mia is faster than Leo." That is the comparative degree. It compares two things. Short adjectives often add -er, like fast to faster. Longer adjectives often use more. Here is the key: count what you are comparing. One? Positive. Two? Comparative. Three or more? Superlative. So, in a race with Mia, Leo, and Sam, you can say, "Sam is the fastest." The superlative degree compares three or more things. Short adjectives often add -est, while longer ones often use most. Superlatives commonly use "the." So which word fits? One runner is fast, two runners compare as faster, and three or more make one the fastest.