A2 French GrammarComparatives and Superlatives
Compare things in French using plus...que, moins...que, aussi...que, and superlatives with le/la/les plus.
1Comparative Adjectives
Use 'plus...que' (more than), 'moins...que' (less than), 'aussi...que' (as...as) with adjectives.
Comparative Structures
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Superiority | plus + adj + que | plus grand que |
| Inferiority | moins + adj + que | moins cher que |
| Equality | aussi + adj + que | aussi beau que |
Examples
Paris est plus grand que Lyon.
Paris is bigger than Lyon.
plus...que
Ce film est moins intéressant que l'autre.
This film is less interesting than the other.
moins...que
Elle est aussi intelligente que lui.
She is as smart as him.
aussi...que
Ma voiture est plus rapide que la tienne.
My car is faster than yours.
comparing possessions
2Superlative Adjectives
Form superlatives with 'le/la/les plus' or 'le/la/les moins'. Adjective placement follows normal rules.
Superlative Formation
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Best/most | le/la/les plus + adj | le plus grand |
| Worst/least | le/la/les moins + adj | le moins cher |
| After noun | noun + le/la plus + adj | la ville la plus belle |
Examples
C'est le plus grand bâtiment de la ville.
It's the tallest building in the city.
le plus + before noun
Paris est la ville la plus visitée.
Paris is the most visited city.
la plus after noun
C'est le restaurant le moins cher.
It's the least expensive restaurant.
le moins
Elle est la plus intelligente de la classe.
She's the smartest in the class.
de = in (with superlative)
3Irregular Comparatives
Some adjectives have irregular comparative/superlative forms: bon → meilleur, mauvais → pire.
Irregular Forms
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| bon (good) | meilleur | le meilleur |
| mauvais (bad) | pire/plus mauvais | le pire |
| bien (well) | mieux | le mieux |
| mal (badly) | pire/plus mal | le pire |
Examples
Ce gâteau est meilleur que l'autre.
This cake is better than the other.
bon → meilleur
C'est le meilleur restaurant de Paris.
It's the best restaurant in Paris.
le meilleur = the best
Il chante mieux que moi.
He sings better than me.
bien → mieux
C'est la pire idée.
It's the worst idea.
le pire = the worst
4Comparing Quantities
Use 'plus de', 'moins de', 'autant de' before nouns. Use 'plus que', 'moins que' after verbs.
Quantity Comparisons
| Type | Before Noun | After Verb |
|---|---|---|
| More | plus de + noun | verb + plus que |
| Less | moins de + noun | verb + moins que |
| As much | autant de + noun | verb + autant que |
Examples
J'ai plus de livres que toi.
I have more books than you.
plus de + noun
Elle travaille plus que moi.
She works more than me.
verb + plus que
Il a autant d'argent que son frère.
He has as much money as his brother.
autant de = as much
Je mange moins que lui.
I eat less than him.
verb + moins que