Comparatives (plus...que, moins...que, aussi...que)

Comparatives allow you to compare two people, things, or situations. In English, we use "more...than," "less...than," and "as...as." French has equivalent structures that are logical and consistent, with a few important irregular forms.

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The Three Types of Comparison

Type	French Structure	English Equivalent
Superiority	plus + adjective + que	more...than / -er...than
Inferiority	moins + adjective + que	less...than
Equality	aussi + adjective + que	as...as

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Superiority: plus...que (more...than)

Structure

Subject + être + plus + adjective + que + comparison

French	English
Marie est plus grande que Pierre.	Marie is taller than Pierre.
Ce film est plus intéressant que l'autre.	This film is more interesting than the other one.
Les chats sont plus indépendants que les chiens.	Cats are more independent than dogs.
L'hiver est plus froid que l'automne.	Winter is colder than autumn.
Cette robe est plus chère que celle-là.	This dress is more expensive than that one.

Remember: The adjective must still agree in gender and number with the subject: Elle est plus grande que lui. (feminine agreement)

With other verbs

Comparatives can also be used with verbs other than être:

• Elle travaille plus que moi. — She works more than me.
• Il mange plus que son frère. — He eats more than his brother.

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Inferiority: moins...que (less...than)

Structure

Subject + être + moins + adjective + que + comparison

French	English
Pierre est moins grand que Marie.	Pierre is less tall than Marie.
Ce livre est moins intéressant que l'autre.	This book is less interesting than the other one.
Le bus est moins rapide que le train.	The bus is less fast than the train.
Cette maison est moins chère que l'appartement.	This house is less expensive than the flat.
Février est moins long que mars.	February is shorter than March.

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Equality: aussi...que (as...as)

Structure

Subject + être + aussi + adjective + que + comparison

French	English
Marie est aussi grande que Pierre.	Marie is as tall as Pierre.
Ce film est aussi bon que l'autre.	This film is as good as the other one.
Mon frère est aussi intelligent que ma sœur.	My brother is as intelligent as my sister.
Paris est aussi beau que Rome.	Paris is as beautiful as Rome.
Le français est aussi difficile que l'espagnol.	French is as difficult as Spanish.

Negative equality: pas aussi...que (not as...as)

• Il n'est pas aussi grand que son père. — He is not as tall as his father.
• Ce restaurant n'est pas aussi bon que l'autre. — This restaurant is not as good as the other one.

Alternative: You can also use si...que in negative sentences: Il n'est pas si grand que son père.

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Irregular Comparatives

Three very common adjectives have irregular comparative forms that must be memorised:

Bon (good) → Meilleur (better)

Do NOT say plus bon. Always use meilleur:

Masculine	Feminine	Masc. Pl.	Fem. Pl.
meilleur	meilleure	meilleurs	meilleures