Comparative Adjectives in FrenchA2

The comparative of superiority is used to say that one element possesses a quality to a higher degree than another. The comparison is constructed with plus + adjectif + que. In Marie est plus rapide que Paul, the adjective rapide describes Marie, and plus marks the higher degree. The word que introduces the second term of the comparison. With an adjective already preceded by a determiner, the structure remains the same: une pièce plus grande que la mienne, un film plus intéressant que le premier. When the adjective begins with a vowel or a silent h, plus keeps its normal form: plus habile, plus heureux. The meaning of the sentence changes as soon as plus is removed: Marie est rapide que Paul does not express a correct comparison.

Constructing the comparative of superiority

Idea
We use more to say that one element is superior to another.
We place than after the second element being compared.
The adjective remains in the same form after the comparative.

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To show that two elements have the same quality to the same degree, aussi + adjectif + que is used. In L’appartement est aussi calme que la maison, the tranquility of the apartment and that of the house are presented as equal. The adjective remains singular or plural according to the noun it accompanies: des rues aussi larges que celles du centre, des chaussures aussi confortables que les miennes. The word que connects the two compared elements, as in Ce trajet est aussi long que l’autre. Without aussi, the sentence loses the value of equality and no longer compares the same degree.

Constructing the comparative of equality

Idea
We use as to show that two elements are at the same level.
We keep as to introduce the second element being compared.
The comparative of equality can express a quality, a size or a quantity.

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The comparative of inferiority indicates that one element possesses a quality to a lower degree than another. The form is moins + adjectif + que. One says Ce dossier est moins clair que le précédent to show weaker clarity. With a plural noun, the adjective agrees normally: des rues moins larges que dans le quartier voisin. Que always introduces the second term. In a sentence such as Elle est moins fatiguée que hier, the adjective fatiguée keeps agreement with the feminine singular subject. If moins disappears, the comparison of inferiority disappears as well.

Constructing the comparative of inferiority

Idea
We use less to say that one element is inferior to another.
We use than after the second element being compared.
The adjective keeps its usual form in this comparison.

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In a comparison, the adjective follows the usual structure of French: it is generally placed after the noun, as in une ville plus grande, des repas moins chers. Some short and common adjectives are placed before the noun, for example une plus belle chanson or un aussi bon résultat. Agreement is made with the noun described, even in the comparison. One says une solution plus simple, des solutions plus simples, une robe aussi élégante, des robes aussi élégantes. The comparative does not prevent agreement. Only the degree changes with plus, aussi or moins; the adjective keeps the gender and number marking of the noun it qualifies.

Position of the adjective in the comparison

Idea
In the comparison, the adjective is placed after the noun or after the verb depending on the sentence.
The adjective agrees with the noun it describes in gender and number.
The comparative does not change the adjective’s agreement in the feminine or plural.

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Comparatives are used to talk about everyday life precisely. For people, one can compare age, height, character or habits: Mon frère est plus patient que moi, Sofia est aussi ponctuelle que sa collègue. For objects, one compares price, size, quality or usefulness: Ce téléphone est moins cher que l’autre, Cette table est plus solide que celle-ci. For ideas and situations, the comparative expresses a difference in judgment: Cette solution est plus pratique que la première, La situation est moins simple qu’hier. The structure remains the same, regardless of the type of element being compared.

Common uses for comparing

Usage	Explanation
People	We use comparison to talk about a person’s character or abilities naturally.
Objects	We often compare the size, price or quality of an everyday object.
Ideas	We use comparison to say that an idea is more useful, simpler or clearer than another.
Situations	We also compare circumstances or atmospheres to choose or describe a situation.

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When bon expresses a quality, its usual comparative is meilleur. One says un bon café, but un meilleur café. With a noun, meilleur agrees in gender and number: une meilleure idée, de meilleurs résultats, de meilleures nouvelles. Before a noun, it is directly linked to that noun, as in le meilleur moment, la meilleure solution. Bon is used for a simple positive quality, and meilleur to compare this quality with another. The sentence Ce vin est bon describes the quality of the wine; Ce vin est meilleur que celui-là places it above the other.

Uses of better and good

Usage	Explanation
Superior quality	We use better to say that one thing has a stronger quality than the other.
Agreement with the noun	We make better agree with the noun it accompanies in gender and number.
Before a noun	We often place good before a noun to qualify something simply, then reserve better for comparison.
Implicit comparison	We use better when the comparison is understood without repeating the entire second element.

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Pire is used to compare two elements when the quality is negative or judged unfavorably. One says une situation pire que prévu, des conditions pires que la veille. It agrees in gender and number in common usage: une journée pire que l’autre, des erreurs pires que les précédentes. Moindre expresses a smaller quantity or lower degree, often in fixed expressions such as la moindre erreur, au moindre bruit, sans la moindre hésitation. It appears mainly with a noun and means a small quantity, a low intensity or the total absence of an element. In la moindre difficulté, the idea is that of a very low degree, not a direct comparison with plus or moins.

Uses of worse and lesser

Idea
We use worse to express a much lower quality in a comparison.
We use lesser in more formal or more precise expressions.
Lesser often expresses a smaller quantity or lower importance.

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