A2-13 · Say what you use most often

Media habits

Use am with superlatives to describe fictional media preferences and habits.

About 5 minutes to read · 12 quiz questions

Gouache illustration of an adult at a kitchen table with a radio, folded newspaper, tablet and television in the background, without readable logos.

The most often

In this fictional household, Mara compares how often she uses different media. Am häufigsten means most often. This form describes an action, without putting the adjective before a noun.

Mara nutzt das Internet am häufigsten.

Mara uses the internet most often.

Ben hört am häufigsten Radio.

Ben listens to the radio most often.

Mara findet die Nachrichten online am schnellsten.

Mara finds the news online fastest.

Ben liest die Zeitung am langsamsten.

Ben reads the newspaper most slowly.

Build many superlatives with am and -sten: schnell becomes am schnellsten. Häufig means frequent; am häufigsten describes the highest frequency.

Favourite choices

Mara and Ben compare personal preferences. Gern becomes am liebsten, gut becomes am besten, and viel becomes am meisten. These forms do not follow the regular pattern.

Mara sieht am liebsten Filme.

Mara likes watching films best.

Ben findet die Radiosendung am besten.

Ben thinks the radio programme is best.

Am Wochenende nutzt Mara das Internet am meisten.

At the weekend, Mara uses the internet the most.

Ben liest am liebsten die Zeitung.

Ben likes reading the newspaper best.

Am liebsten answers what someone likes doing most. Am meisten answers how much. A preference in this story is personal, not a claim about which medium is best for everyone.

Ask about habits

Ask which choice comes first for a person. Keep am with the superlative even in a question. The verb stays in its usual question position.

Welches Medium nutzt du am häufigsten?

Which medium do you use most often?

Welche Sendung siehst du am liebsten?

Which programme do you like watching best?

Mara versteht diesen Radiobericht am leichtesten.

Mara understands this radio report most easily.

Ben findet den Film am besten.

Ben thinks the film is best.

Oft becomes am häufigsten or am öftesten; this chapter uses am häufigsten. Leicht becomes am leichtesten, with an extra e before -sten.

Ready to try it?

Check what you remember with 12 short questions.