using ‘the’ with superlatives

Nouns with superlative adjectives normally have the article the.

Example:

‘The Exorcist’ is the scariest movie I have ever seen.

After link verbs, superlative adjectives have the.

Example:

I am the greatest.

The cannot be dropped when a superlative is used with a defining expression.

Example:

This deal is the cheapest I could find.

But note, we do not use the with superlatives when we compare the same person or thing in different situations.

Compare:

She works the hardest in the family. (A woman is being compared with other members in her family.)

She works hardest when she is doing something for her family. ( A woman’s work is being compared in different situations.)