PrepMyFrench
PrepMyFrench
用法
French comparatives use plus…que (more…than), moins…que (less…than), and aussi…que (as…as) with adjectives, adverbs, nouns, and verbs. Superlatives add the definite article: le/la/les plus or le/la/les moins. Two forms are irregular and high-frequency: meilleur replaces plus bon, and mieux replaces plus bien. The adjective still agrees in gender and number inside comparatives and superlatives.
plus / moins / aussi + ADJECTIVE + que
Place plus, moins, or aussi before the adjective and que after it. The adjective still agrees with the subject. This mirrors the English "more/less/as…than" structure but with que instead of "than."
Marie est plus grande que Pierre.
Marie is taller than Pierre.
Cette robe est moins chère que l'autre.
This dress is less expensive than the other one.
Mon frère est aussi intelligent que moi.
My brother is as smart as me.
plus / moins / aussi + ADVERB + que | plus de / moins de / autant de + NOUN + que | VERB + plus / moins / autant + que
Adverbs follow the same pattern as adjectives: plus vite que. With nouns, use plus de / moins de / autant de (not aussi): il a plus d'argent que moi. With verbs, the comparison word goes after the verb: elle travaille plus que toi. Note autant (not aussi) with nouns and verbs.
Il court plus vite que son frère.
He runs faster than his brother.
J'ai moins de temps que toi.
I have less time than you.
Elle mange autant que lui.
She eats as much as him.
le/la/les + plus/moins + ADJECTIVE (+ de + group)
The superlative adds the definite article before plus or moins. "De" introduces the group being compared, where English uses "in" or "of": la plus grande ville de France. When the adjective normally follows the noun, the superlative can go after too: la ville la plus grande de France.
C'est le plus beau film de l'année.
It's the most beautiful film of the year.
Elle est la moins expérimentée de l'équipe.
She is the least experienced on the team.
Paris est la ville la plus visitée du monde.
Paris is the most visited city in the world.
de plus en plus (+ ADJECTIVE) | de moins en moins (+ ADJECTIVE)
To express that something is increasing or decreasing over time (like "more and more" or "less and less"), French uses de plus en plus or de moins en moins. These can be used alone with a verb, or they can modify an adjective or adverb. This structure is very useful for B2 essays when discussing societal trends or gradual changes.
La vie devient de plus en plus chère.
Life is becoming more and more expensive.
Il travaille de moins en moins.
He is working less and less.
| Base | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| bon (good) | meilleur(e) — NOT plus bon | le/la meilleur(e) |
| bien (well) | mieux — NOT plus bien | le mieux |
| mauvais (bad) | pire OR plus mauvais | le/la pire OR le/la plus mauvais(e) |
| petit (small/minor) | moindre (abstract) OR plus petit (physical) | le/la moindre OR le/la plus petit(e) |
Never say "plus bon" — always use meilleur. Never say "plus bien" — always use mieux. These are the two most-corrected errors in French comparison. Meilleur is an adjective (agrees: meilleure, meilleurs, meilleures); mieux is an adverb (invariable).
Also vs autant: use aussi with adjectives and adverbs (aussi grand, aussi vite), but autant with nouns and verbs (autant de courage, travailler autant). Mixing them up is a common B1 error.
Comparatives appear in every TEF/TCF section. In comprehension, you must parse sentences like "la solution la moins coûteuse" quickly. In writing, deploying a well-placed superlative (le problème le plus grave de notre époque) shows range. In speaking, the meilleur/mieux distinction is a classic oral trap — examiners notice immediately. Using pire or moindre in the right context is a strong B2 signal.
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Meilleur is an adjective (modifies a noun): ce gâteau est meilleur. Mieux is an adverb (modifies a verb): elle chante mieux. Think of it as bon→meilleur, bien→mieux.
No — always le meilleur. "Plus bon" does not exist in standard French. This applies to all forms: meilleur, meilleure, meilleurs, meilleures.
Aussi is used with adjectives and adverbs (aussi grand que, aussi vite que). Autant is used with nouns (autant de temps que) and verbs (il travaille autant que moi). The quality vs quantity distinction is the key.