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Comparison · plus / moins / aussi

Comparative: plus/moins/aussi + adj/adv + que. Superlative: le plus / le moins. Special: bon → meilleur (adj), bien → mieux (adv).

Examples

  • Il est plus grand que moi.He is taller than me.
  • C'est le moins cher.It's the cheapest.

Two jobs

comparing two things, and picking out the most or least.

Comparative

three frames, all ending in que ("than" / "as"):

plus + adj + quemore … than
Il est plus grand QUE moi.
He is taller than me.
moins + adj + queless … than
Elle est moins fatiguée QUE lui.
She is less tired than him.
aussi + adj + queas … as
Tu es aussi grand QUE lui.
You are as tall as him.

The adjective still agrees with its noun: plus grandE (f), plus grandS (pl).

After que use a STRESSED pronoun — moi, toi, lui, elle, nous, vous, eux, elles — not the subject form:

plus grand QUE MOItaller than me
(not "que je")

Superlative

add an article that matches the noun:

C'est LE plus grand.He's the tallest.
la plus bellethe most beautiful (f)
les moins chersthe least expensive (m pl)
C'est LE moins cher.It's the cheapest.

For comparing amounts, use plus / moins / autant + de + noun:

J'ai plus DE temps.I have more time.
Elle travaille moins.She works less.

Irregulars

French has dedicated words for "good" and "well". Never say "plus bon":

bon (adj, good)→ meilleur (better)
→ le meilleur (the best)
bien (adv, well)→ mieux (better)
→ le mieux (the best)
mauvais (bad)→ pire (worse)
→ le pire (the worst)
Ce livre est meilleur.This book is better.
Elle parle mieux.She speaks better.
Le pire jour.The worst day.

What you'll practise

  1. 1. plus … que (more than)

    More + adjective/adverb + than.

    • Il est plus grand que moi.He's taller than me.

  2. 2. moins … que (less than)

    Less + adjective/adverb + than.

    • Elle est moins fatiguée.She's less tired.

  3. 3. aussi … que (as … as)

    As + adjective/adverb + as.

    • Tu es aussi grand que lui.You're as tall as him.

  4. 4. le plus / le moins (superlative)

    The most / the least. Article (le/la/les) agrees with the noun.

    • C'est le plus grand.It's the biggest.
    • C'est la moins chère.It's the cheapest (f).

  5. 5. Irregular: meilleur / mieux / pire

    bon (adj) → meilleur (better). bien (adv) → mieux (better). mauvais → pire (worse).

    • Ce livre est meilleur.This book is better.
    • Elle parle mieux.She speaks better.

Practise it until it sticks

Short drills built on these 5 skills, with instant feedback on every answer. Free to start.

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