In French, adjectives are modified to express comparisons and superlatives, allowing speakers to describe differences and extremes in qualities. The comparative form is used to show that something is more, less, or as... as something else, while the superlative form highlights the highest or lowest degree of a quality.
- Comparative: More (+), Less (−), As... As ( = )
- Superlative: The most/least (highest/lowest degree)
Comparative
To form comparatives, French uses the following structures for adjectives:
| Meaning | Structure | Example (grand = tall) |
|---|---|---|
| More | plus + adjective + que | Il est plus grand que elle. (He is taller than her.) |
| Less | moins + adjective + que | Il est moins grand que elle. (He is less tall than her.) |
| As ... as | aussi + adjective + que | Il est aussi grand que elle. (He is as tall as her.) |
Note: The adjective agrees in gender and number with the noun it describes.
Comparative Example: Adjectives
- plus grand (more tall/taller)
- moins intéressant (less interesting)
- aussi rapide (as fast as)
| Positive | Plus...que | Moins...que | Aussi...que |
|---|---|---|---|
| grand | plus grand que | moins grand que | aussi grand que |
| belle | plus belle que | moins belle que | aussi belle que |
plus...que, moins...que, aussi...que
Superlative
The superlative expresses the highest or lowest degree of a quality. Use le, la, les + plus (most) or moins (least) before the adjective.
| Meaning | Structure | Example (intéressant = interesting) |
|---|---|---|
| Most (superlative) | le/la/les + plus + adjective | C’est le livre le plus intéressant. (It's the most interesting book.) |
| Least (superlative) | le/la/les + moins + adjective | C’est le film le moins intéressant. (It's the least interesting movie.) |
- The article (le, la, les) matches the noun in gender and number.
- For regular adjectives, use the standard form (grand, petites).
Use le/la/les + plus + adjective for 'most' and le/la/les + moins + adjective for 'least'.
Superlative Example: Adjectives
| Positive | Superlative (Most) | Superlative (Least) |
|---|---|---|
| rapide | le/la/les plus rapide(s) | le/la/les moins rapide(s) |
| cher | le/la/les plus cher(s) | le/la/les moins cher(s) |
Use the article for superlative: 'la plus intéressante' or 'la moins intéressante'.
Both 'mieux que' (for adverbs) and 'meilleur que' (for adjectives) are used, but 'plus bon que' is incorrect.
Conclusion
French comparatives and superlatives provide elegant ways to describe relationships between things and highlight extremes. Mastering these forms expands your ability to express subtle distinctions and strong opinions.
- Comparatives use plus/moins/aussi... que with adjectives matched to the noun.
- Superlatives use le/la/les plus/moins + adjective for the highest or lowest degree.
- Precise adjective agreement and structure are key for correctness and clarity.