C2 Adjectives & Adverbs 14 min read Medium

Advanced Spanish Superlatives: la mar de, de lo más, en grado sumo

Mastering periphrastic superlatives allows you to navigate different social registers in Spanish with native-level precision and flair.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'la mar de', 'de lo más', and 'en grado sumo' to express extreme intensity beyond standard adjectives.

  • Use 'la mar de' + adjective for informal, high-intensity emphasis: 'Es la mar de simpático'.
  • Use 'de lo más' + adjective for a sophisticated, high-degree superlative: 'Es de lo más interesante'.
  • Use 'en grado sumo' for formal, academic, or literary contexts: 'Es una situación grave en grado sumo'.
Intensifier + Adjective = Extreme Quality

Overview

At the C2 level, expressing intensity in Spanish moves beyond simple adverbs like muy (very) or suffixes like -ísimo (extremely). Mastery involves deploying periphrastic superlatives—multi-word phrases that add emphasis with precision and stylistic flair. These constructions allow you to modulate your speech and writing, shifting between colloquial warmth, educated formality, and literary gravity.

This article focuses on three powerful yet nuanced superlative locutions: la mar de, de lo más, and en grado sumo.

These phrases are not interchangeable. Each carries a distinct register and pragmatic function. La mar de is a colloquial, expressive tool primarily heard in Spain.

De lo más offers a sophisticated, analytical emphasis suitable for educated and professional contexts across the Spanish-speaking world. En grado sumo is a highly formal, almost legalistic term reserved for situations requiring absolute, non-negotiable emphasis. Understanding when and why to use each is a hallmark of near-native competency, demonstrating control over the subtle social and stylistic layers of the language.

Think of them as different lenses for viewing an intense quality. While a learner might say un hombre inteligentísimo, a C2 speaker can select the most appropriate tool for the context. You might describe a friend as la mar de listo (super clever) over coffee, a colleague's report as de lo más perspicaz (most insightful) in an email, and a philosopher's argument as complejo en grado sumo (complex in the highest degree) in a thesis.

Your choice signals not just the intensity, but also your relationship to the subject and the context of the conversation.

| Phrase | Register | Primary Function | Common Context | Geographic Note |

|---|---|---|---|---|

| la mar de | Colloquial / Informal | Expressive emphasis | Casual conversation, social media, anecdotes | Primarily Spain |

| de lo más | Educated / Semi-formal | Analytical emphasis, classification | Professional communication, journalism, reviews | Pan-Hispanic |

| en grado sumo| Formal / Literary | Absolute, final emphasis | Legal documents, academic papers, formal rhetoric | Pan-Hispanic (formal contexts) |

How This Grammar Works

These periphrastic superlatives are adverbial locutions, meaning they are fixed phrases that function as adverbs to intensify an adjective or, in some cases, a noun. They don't alter the word they modify morphologically (unlike -ísimo). Instead, they frame it syntactically, adding a layer of meaning that a single-word adverb cannot convey.
The Logic of la mar de
This expression is a linguistic fossil, a remnant of older Spanish usage. The word mar (sea) has long been used metaphorically to signify a vast quantity or abundance. The phrase la mar de essentially means "an ocean of..." in terms of intensity or quantity.
The use of the feminine article la is a holdover from a time when mar was a gender-vacillating noun, often treated as feminine in poetry and nautical language. In this expression, the feminine form is fixed and invariable. It functions as a simple, direct intensifier.
For instance, in Estaba la mar de cansado, the phrase la mar de directly amplifies cansado.
The Logic of de lo más
This construction is more structurally complex and sophisticated. It breaks down into de (of) + lo más (the most). The neuter article lo is the key component here.
It performs a function known as substantivization; it takes an abstract quality (expressed by an adjective) and turns it into a noun-like concept. So, de lo más interesante does not just mean "very interesting"; it means "of the most interesting class or type of thing." This adds a qualitative, classificatory nuance. When you say La conferencia fue de lo más reveladora, you are classifying the conference as belonging to the category of 'most revealing things'.
This is why the adjective (reveladora) must agree with the subject (La conferencia), not with the neuter lo. The phrase itself analyzes the quality rather than just scaling it.
The Logic of en grado sumo
This is the most transparent of the three, literally translating to "in the highest degree." It is a formal, almost technical phrase borrowed from philosophical and legal discourse. Its function is to state that a quality has reached its absolute, theoretical maximum. It does not allow for gradation; something is either en grado sumo or it is not.
Syntactically, it acts as an adverbial phrase that typically modifies a preceding adjective. In a sentence like, El acto fue de una generosidad en grado sumo, the phrase elevates generosidad from a simple description to an absolute statement about its nature. It declares the generosity to be of the highest possible order, leaving no room for debate.

Formation Pattern

1
Mastering these forms requires attention to agreement and syntax. The patterns are fixed but distinct for each expression.
2
1. la mar de
3
This phrase is invariable. It can precede an adjective or a noun. The adjective it modifies must agree in gender and number with the subject of the sentence.
4
Pattern with Adjective: ser/estar + la mar de + Adjective
5
El nuevo profesor es la mar de simpático. (The new professor is extremely nice.)
6
Llegaron la mar de contentas de su viaje. (They arrived extremely happy from their trip.)
7
Pattern with Noun: tener/haber + la mar de + Noun (plural or uncountable)
8
Tengo la mar de cosas que hacer. (I have a ton of things to do.)
9
En esa fiesta había la mar de ruido. (At that party, there was a ton of noise.)
10
2. de lo más
11
This phrase is also invariable, but the adjective that follows it is not. The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes, not with the neuter lo.
12
Pattern: ser/estar/resultar + de lo más + Adjective (agrees with subject)
13
El documental resultó de lo más interesante. (The documentary turned out to be most interesting.)
14
Las vistas desde la cima son de lo más impresionantes. (The views from the summit are most impressive.)
15
This agreement rule is critical and a common point of error. The following table illustrates the correct pattern:
16
| Subject (Gender/Number) | Sentence Construction | Correct Adjective | Incorrect Adjective |
17
|---|---|---|---|
18
| El informe (Masc. Sg.) | fue de lo más... | detallado | *detallado (correct by chance) |
19
| La novela (Fem. Sg.) | es de lo más... | entretenida | *entretenido |
20
| Los candidatos (Masc. Pl.) | parecían de lo más... | preparados | *preparado |
21
| Las soluciones (Fem. Pl.) | son de lo más... | creativas | *creativo |
22
3. en grado sumo
23
The phrase itself is invariable. It most commonly appears after the adjective it modifies.
24
Pattern 1 (Post-Adjectival): ser/estar/resultar + Adjective + en grado sumo
25
Su análisis fue lúcido en grado sumo. (His analysis was lucid in the highest degree.)
26
El desafío es complejo en grado sumo. (The challenge is complex in the highest degree.)
27
Pattern 2 (Modifying a Noun Phrase): Noun + Adjective + en grado sumo
28
Era un artista talentoso en grado sumo. (He was an artist talented in the highest degree.)
29
Demostró una paciencia en grado sumo. (He demonstrated patience in the highest degree.)
30
While syntactically flexible, placing en grado sumo immediately after the word it qualifies ensures clarity and impact.

When To Use It

Context and intent are paramount when choosing among these superlatives. Your selection communicates as much about the social situation as it does about the quality you are describing.
Use la mar de for informal emphasis.
This is your tool for casual, expressive communication, especially in Spain. It adds a warm, sometimes folksy, intensity that feels natural and unpretentious among friends, family, or in relaxed social settings. It is perfect for anecdotes, text messages, and social media posts.
Using it signals camaraderie and shared cultural context.
  • In conversation: “El bar que me recomendaste tiene unas tapas la mar de buenas.” (The bar you recommended has some seriously good tapas.)
  • On social media: “¡Día de playa la mar de relajante! ☀️” (A super relaxing beach day!)
  • To express quantity: “Tuve la mar de problemas para encontrar aparcamiento.” (I had a ton of trouble finding parking.)
Use de lo más for educated, nuanced emphasis.
This is the standard for articulate, semi-formal expression. It is appropriate for professional emails, academic reviews, journalistic writing, and polite, thoughtful conversation. It conveys that you are not just intensifying a quality but are making a considered judgment or classification.
It sounds educated without being stuffy, making it a versatile tool across the Hispanic world.
  • In a work email: “La presentación de Sofía fue de lo más clarificadora. Propongo que sigamos esa línea.” (Sofía’s presentation was most clarifying. I propose we follow that line.)
  • In a review: “A pesar de un comienzo lento, el libro ofrece un giro argumental de lo más inesperado.” (Despite a slow start, the book offers a most unexpected plot twist.)
  • In polite conversation: “El anfitrión de la cena fue un hombre de lo más encantador.” (The host of the dinner was a most charming man.)
Use en grado sumo for absolute, formal emphasis.
Reserve this for your most formal writing and oratory. Its natural habitat is in legal opinions, academic treatises, official ceremonies, and high literature. Using it in casual speech can sound either ironic, sarcastic, or pompous.
It is a heavyweight expression that signals the discussion is serious and the quality being described is absolute.
  • In academic writing: “La obra de este autor es hermética en grado sumo, lo que exige un lector comprometido.” (This author's work is hermetic in the highest degree, demanding a committed reader.)
  • In a formal speech: “Su dedicación a la causa fue un acto de generosidad en grado sumo.” (His dedication to the cause was an act of generosity in the highest degree.)
  • For ironic effect: “Llegar tres horas tarde a la cita es ser informal en grado sumo.” (Arriving three hours late to the appointment is being informal in the highest degree.)

Common Mistakes

Learners at the C2 level often understand these phrases passively but make specific errors in active use. Avoiding these is key to true mastery.
  • Error: Incorrect Agreement with de lo más
This is the most frequent mistake. Learners often default to a masculine singular adjective, assuming it should agree with the neuter lo.
  • Incorrect: *Sus novelas son de lo más entretenido.
  • Correct: Sus novelas son de lo más entretenidas.
  • Reasoning: The adjective describes novelas (feminine plural), not lo. The phrase de lo más acts as a modifier, but the core grammatical agreement between subject and adjective remains.
  • Error: Incorrect Gender for la mar de
Thinking of el mar as masculine, some learners incorrectly change the article.
  • Incorrect: *Estoy el mar de cansado.
  • Correct: Estoy la mar de cansado.
  • Reasoning: la mar de is a fossilized, invariable adverbial locution. Its gender is fixed regardless of the modern standard gender of mar.
  • Error: Register Clash with en grado sumo
Using this formal phrase for trivial, everyday matters creates a comical or pretentious effect.
  • Incorrect: *Esta hamburguesa está buena en grado sumo.
  • Correct (Natural): Esta hamburguesa está buenísima / la mar de buena.
  • Reasoning: en grado sumo is reserved for significant, often abstract, qualities (e.g., lealtad, complejidad, belleza). Using it for a hamburger is stylistically jarring.
  • Error: Confusing la mar de with un mar de
While both use mar metaphorically, they are not interchangeable.
  • la mar de: An intensifier meaning "a lot of" or "extremely." Ex: Tengo la mar de trabajo. (I have a ton of work.)
  • un mar de: A noun phrase describing a literal or metaphorical sea of something, often implying being lost or overwhelmed. Ex: Su escritorio era un mar de papeles. (His desk was a sea of papers.)
  • Error: Assuming Universal Frequency of la mar de
While understood in Latin America, its active use is a strong marker of Peninsular Spanish.
  • Observation: In Mexico, you are far more likely to hear súper, muy, or bien (Está bien padre). In Argentina, re or recontra (Es re-difícil). Using la mar de in Buenos Aires would immediately mark you as a foreigner or someone who learned Spanish in Spain.

Real Conversations

Observing these phrases in natural contexts helps clarify their function and feel.

S

Scenario 1

WhatsApp Chat (Friends in Madrid)

> Elena: ¿Qué tal la boda el sábado?

> Pablo: Uf, genial. Bailamos un montón y el sitio era la mar de chulo. La novia iba guapísima.

> Elena: ¡Qué bien! Me alegro mucho por ellos.

Here, la mar de chulo (super cool) is the perfect informal choice to express strong positive feelings in a casual text exchange.

S

Scenario 2

Professional Email (Colleagues)

> Subject: Feedback on the Q3 Report

> Body: Hola, Marta. He revisado el borrador del informe y me ha parecido un trabajo de lo más completo y riguroso. Mi única sugerencia sería añadir un gráfico en la sección 4 para visualizar los datos de crecimiento. Por lo demás, excelente. Saludos, Carlos.

De lo más completo y riguroso (most complete and rigorous) provides a formal, respectful, and analytical compliment suitable for the professional sphere.

S

Scenario 3

Spoken Conversation (Dramatic/Ironic Emphasis)

> Ana: No me puedo creer que el jefe nos pidiera el informe para ayer a las 9 de la noche.

> Javier: Sí, es una exigencia absurda en grado sumo. Nadie podía terminarlo a tiempo.

Javier uses absurda en grado sumo to dramatize his frustration. While formal, its use here in speech adds a powerful, almost theatrical weight to his complaint, highlighting the sheer unreasonableness of the demand.

Quick FAQ

Q: Why la mar and not el mar? Is it a mistake?

It's not a mistake but a linguistic fossil. In older stages of Spanish and in certain dialects or contexts (like poetry), mar could be feminine (la mar). The expression la mar de preserved this older feminine form, and it is now a fixed, invariable part of the locution.

Q: How formal is de lo más? Can I use it with my boss?

It's best described as "educated formal" or "semi-formal." It signals careful, articulate speech. It is perfectly appropriate—and often recommended—for use with a boss, in academic papers, and in any context where you want to sound intelligent and thoughtful without being overly stiff. It's much more formal than la mar de but more common and less severe than en grado sumo.

Q: Can these phrases modify verbs? For example, can I say *trabajé la mar de?

No, they are not used to directly modify verbs. They function as intensifiers for adjectives (qualities) or nouns (quantities). You can, however, use them to describe the quality of the result of an action through an adjective. For example, instead of *trabajé la mar de, you would say El trabajo me quedó la mar de bien (The work turned out extremely well for me).

Q: Are there any single-word alternatives to en grado sumo?

Yes. The adverbs sumamente and altamente convey a similar meaning of high intensity in formal contexts (e.g., sumamente importante, altamente cualificado). The classic superlative suffix -ísimo (importantísimo) is also an option, though en grado sumo often implies a more objective, absolute limit than a subjective intensification.

Q: Can I use la mar de to describe negative things?

Absolutely. The phrase is a neutral intensifier; it simply means "very" or "a lot of." The positive or negative connotation comes from the adjective or noun it modifies. You can say una película la mar de buena (a very good movie) just as easily as una película la mar de aburrida (a very boring movie) or un examen la mar de difícil (a very difficult exam).

Superlative Construction Patterns

Construction Register Agreement Example
La mar de
Informal
None
Es la mar de fácil
De lo más
Neutral
None
Es de lo más útil
En grado sumo
Formal
None
Es grave en grado sumo

Meanings

These constructions function as absolute superlatives, elevating the intensity of an adjective or adverb to the highest possible degree.

1

Informal Intensification

Used in casual speech to emphasize a quality.

“Es la mar de fácil.”

“Están la mar de contentos.”

2

Sophisticated Superlative

Used to describe something as being at the peak of a quality.

“Es una propuesta de lo más tentadora.”

“Fue un gesto de lo más amable.”

3

Formal/Literary Emphasis

Used to denote an extreme, often objective, degree of a state.

“La medida es necesaria en grado sumo.”

“Su ignorancia es absoluta en grado sumo.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Advanced Spanish Superlatives: la mar de, de lo más, en grado sumo
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
La mar de + Adj
Es la mar de divertido
Affirmative
De lo más + Adj
Es de lo más interesante
Affirmative
Adj + en grado sumo
Es urgente en grado sumo
Negative
No es la mar de...
No es la mar de difícil
Question
¿Es la mar de...?
¿Es la mar de caro?
Short Answer
Sí, es la mar de...
Sí, es la mar de bueno

Formality Spectrum

Formal
La situación es difícil en grado sumo.

La situación es difícil en grado sumo. (Describing a problem.)

Neutral
La situación es de lo más difícil.

La situación es de lo más difícil. (Describing a problem.)

Informal
La situación es la mar de difícil.

La situación es la mar de difícil. (Describing a problem.)

Slang
La situación es la leche de difícil.

La situación es la leche de difícil. (Describing a problem.)

Intensifier Spectrum

Intensity

Informal

  • la mar de very

Neutral

  • de lo más the most

Formal

  • en grado sumo to the highest degree
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Examples by Level

1

Es la mar de bueno.

It is really good.

2

Es de lo más fácil.

It is the easiest thing.

3

Es importante en grado sumo.

It is extremely important.

4

La comida es la mar de rica.

The food is really tasty.

1

Mi amigo es la mar de simpático.

My friend is really nice.

2

El examen fue de lo más difícil.

The exam was the most difficult.

3

El problema es grave en grado sumo.

The problem is extremely serious.

4

Estamos la mar de felices.

We are really happy.

1

La situación es de lo más preocupante.

The situation is extremely worrying.

2

Es la mar de interesante lo que dices.

What you say is really interesting.

3

Su actitud es reprobable en grado sumo.

His attitude is extremely reprehensible.

4

Es un libro de lo más entretenido.

It is a very entertaining book.

1

La propuesta me parece de lo más acertada.

The proposal seems very accurate to me.

2

Es la mar de sencillo si lo piensas bien.

It is really simple if you think about it.

3

La negligencia fue evidente en grado sumo.

The negligence was extremely evident.

4

Es de lo más común en estos casos.

It is very common in these cases.

1

Resulta de lo más irónico que digas eso.

It is quite ironic that you say that.

2

La complejidad del tema es, en grado sumo, fascinante.

The complexity of the topic is, to the highest degree, fascinating.

3

Es la mar de curioso cómo cambian las cosas.

It is really curious how things change.

4

Es de lo más recomendable para principiantes.

It is highly recommended for beginners.

1

Su elocuencia es, en grado sumo, admirable.

His eloquence is, to the highest degree, admirable.

2

Es de lo más oportuno que hayamos coincidido.

It is very timely that we met.

3

La fiesta estuvo la mar de animada.

The party was really lively.

4

Es una cuestión de lo más delicada.

It is a very delicate matter.

Easily Confused

Advanced Spanish Superlatives: la mar de, de lo más, en grado sumo vs Muy vs. Intensifiers

Learners use 'muy' for everything.

Advanced Spanish Superlatives: la mar de, de lo más, en grado sumo vs Superlative -ísimo vs. Intensifiers

Learners mix up the structure.

Advanced Spanish Superlatives: la mar de, de lo más, en grado sumo vs Formal vs. Informal

Using formal phrases in casual settings.

Common Mistakes

✗

La mar de simpática

✓

La mar de simpático

Wait, actually 'la mar de' is invariant, so both are fine, but learners often try to change 'mar'.
✗

Es muy muy muy bueno

✓

Es la mar de bueno

Repetition is less natural than using an intensifier.
✗

Es en grado sumo bueno

✓

Es bueno en grado sumo

Word order is usually after the adjective.
✗

Es la mar de el bueno

✓

Es la mar de bueno

Do not add an article after the intensifier.
✗

Es de lo más buena

✓

Es de lo más bueno

Keep it neutral/masculine when using 'de lo más'.
✗

Es la mar de cansada

✓

Es la mar de cansada

Actually, this is correct, but learners often doubt it.
✗

Es en grado sumo de difícil

✓

Es difícil en grado sumo

Do not add 'de'.
✗

Es la mar de interesante

✓

Es la mar de interesante

Correct, but learners often avoid it for fear of being wrong.
✗

Es de lo más de interesante

✓

Es de lo más interesante

Do not add extra 'de'.
✗

Es en grado sumo difícil

✓

Es difícil en grado sumo

Standard position is after.
✗

Es la mar de elocuente

✓

Es la mar de elocuente

Correct, but learners sometimes use it in formal settings where it sounds too casual.
✗

Es de lo más elocuente

✓

Es de lo más elocuente

Correct, but learners sometimes overuse it.
✗

Es en grado sumo de elocuente

✓

Es elocuente en grado sumo

Incorrect structure.

Sentence Patterns

Es ___ ___ ___.

La situación es ___ ___ ___.

___ ___ ___ que me digas eso.

Me parece ___ ___ ___.

Real World Usage

Social Media very common

¡La fiesta fue la mar de divertida!

Texting common

Es la mar de fácil.

Job Interview occasional

Es una oportunidad de lo más interesante.

Academic Writing common

Es un tema complejo en grado sumo.

Travel Blog common

El paisaje es de lo más impresionante.

Food Delivery App occasional

La comida es la mar de rica.

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💡

Use for variety

Don't use 'muy' every time. Swap it for 'la mar de' to sound more native.
⚠️

Watch the register

Don't use 'en grado sumo' with your friends; it sounds like you're a robot.
🎯

Invariant forms

Remember that 'la mar de' and 'de lo más' don't change. It makes them easier to use!
💬

Regional usage

'La mar de' is very common in Spain. If you are in Latin America, stick to 'muy' or 'sumamente'.

Smart Tips

Use 'la mar de' instead of 'muy'.

Es muy divertido. → Es la mar de divertido.

Use 'de lo más' to sound professional.

Es muy importante. → Es de lo más importante.

Use 'en grado sumo' for emphasis.

Es muy grave. → Es grave en grado sumo.

Use 'de lo más' as a filler.

Es muy... interesante. → Es de lo más interesante.

Pronunciation

la MAR de / de lo MÁS / en grado SUMO

Rhythm

These phrases should be spoken with a slight emphasis on the adjective.

Emphasis

Es la mar de ↑bueno.

Rising intonation on the adjective shows excitement.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember: 'Mar' is for the sea (big/informal), 'Lo más' is for the top (neutral), 'Sumo' is for the summit (formal).

Visual Association

Imagine a surfer (la mar de) for casual, a mountain climber (de lo más) for neutral, and a judge in a high court (en grado sumo) for formal.

Rhyme

La mar de es para hablar, de lo más para destacar, en grado sumo para formalizar.

Story

Juan was 'la mar de' happy at the beach. He met a 'de lo más' intelligent professor. They discussed a problem that was 'en grado sumo' complex.

Word Web

la mar dede lo másen grado sumointensificadorsuperlativoénfasis

Challenge

Write three sentences about your day using each of the three intensifiers.

Cultural Notes

The phrase 'la mar de' is extremely common in Spain, particularly in Madrid and the south.

These specific phrases are less common; Mexicans prefer 'muy' or 'sumamente'.

Argentines use 're' as an intensifier instead of these phrases.

These constructions evolved from the need to express intensity beyond the standard 'muy'.

Conversation Starters

“

¿Cómo estuvo tu fin de semana?

“

¿Qué opinas de esta nueva ley?

“

¿Qué tal el nuevo restaurante?

“

¿Es difícil aprender español?

Journal Prompts

Describe a place you visited.
Write a formal complaint about a service.
Review a book you read recently.
Describe your best friend's personality.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct intensifier.

El examen fue ___ ___ ___ difícil.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: la mar de
La mar de is the correct informal intensifier.
Choose the most formal option. Multiple Choice

Which phrase is most formal?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Bueno en grado sumo
En grado sumo is the most formal.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Es la mar de la buena.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Es la mar de bueno
Do not add an article.
Transform to a more formal version. Sentence Transformation

Es la mar de importante.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Es importante en grado sumo
En grado sumo is the formal equivalent.
Match the intensifier to its register. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all of the above
Each has a specific register.
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

Es ___ interesante.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: la mar de
La mar de fits perfectly.
Fill in the blank.

La situación es grave ___ ___ ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: en grado sumo
En grado sumo is the correct formal intensifier.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Es de lo más de interesante.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Es de lo más interesante
Do not add extra 'de'.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct intensifier.

El examen fue ___ ___ ___ difícil.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: la mar de
La mar de is the correct informal intensifier.
Choose the most formal option. Multiple Choice

Which phrase is most formal?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Bueno en grado sumo
En grado sumo is the most formal.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Es la mar de la buena.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Es la mar de bueno
Do not add an article.
Transform to a more formal version. Sentence Transformation

Es la mar de importante.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Es importante en grado sumo
En grado sumo is the formal equivalent.
Match the intensifier to its register. Match Pairs

Match the register.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all of the above
Each has a specific register.
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

Es ___ interesante.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: la mar de
La mar de fits perfectly.
Fill in the blank.

La situación es grave ___ ___ ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: en grado sumo
En grado sumo is the correct formal intensifier.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Es de lo más de interesante.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Es de lo más interesante
Do not add extra 'de'.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Complete the sentence with the appropriate phrase for a professional email. Fill in the Blank

La reunión de ayer me pareció ______ productiva.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: de lo más
Correct the agreement error. Error Correction

Esas ideas son de lo más innovador.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Esas ideas son de lo más innovadoras.
Reorder the words to form a formal sentence. Sentence Reorder

acto / fue / grado / El / heroico / sumo / en

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: El acto fue heroico en grado sumo.
Translate to Spanish using 'la mar de'. Translation

The concert was extremely fun.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: El concierto fue la mar de divertido.
Which of these is strictly for informal contexts? Multiple Choice

Choose the informal option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: la mar de
Match the phrase with its register. Match Pairs

Match the register:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: la mar de : Colloquial
Complete with the correct gender. Fill in the Blank

Mi jefa es ______ simpática.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: la mar de
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Es una chica de lo más simpático.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Es una chica de lo más simpática.
Translate using 'de lo más'. Translation

These mountains are most beautiful.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Estas montañas son de lo más bellas.
Select the sentence suitable for a graduation speech. Multiple Choice

Formal speech choice:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vuestro esfuerzo es loable en grado sumo.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Yes, they are very flexible. Just ensure the register matches.

No, they are invariant.

'La mar de' is very common in Spain.

Yes, but it's less common.

Less frequently than in Spain.

It is very formal, yes.

Yes, they work with adverbs too.

They are more expressive.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

French moderate

très, extrêmement

Spanish has more idiomatic intensifiers.

German moderate

sehr, äußerst

German is more literal.

Japanese low

totemo, hijou ni

Japanese uses different words for register.

Arabic moderate

jiddan, lil-ghaya

Arabic uses specific phrases for extreme degrees.

Chinese low

hen, feichang

Chinese lacks the variety of Spanish intensifiers.

Spanish high

muy, sumamente

The idiomatic phrases add color.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Medio vs Mitad: Mastering the Spanish 'Half'
Next
Adverbial Phrases with 'a': Secretly & Blindly (a escondidas, a ciegas)

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