les comparatifs et superlatifs simples grammar in French

Language: French
Level: A2
Unit: Quantités et comparaisons
Practice types: 0

What this grammar point covers

Comparatives and superlatives in French are ways to compare people, things, or actions. Comparatives show differences (more, less, as...), and superlatives show the highest or lowest degree (the most, the least).

When to use it

Use comparatives to compare two things, people, or actions in French. Use superlatives to say that something or someone is the most or least of a group.

Key forms

plus ... que (more ... than)
moins ... que (less ... than)
aussi ... que (as ... as)
le/la/les plus ... (the most ...)
le/la/les moins ... (the least ...)

Examples

Marie est plus grande que Paul.

English: Marie is taller than Paul.

Ce film est moins intéressant que le livre.

English: This movie is less interesting than the book.

Il est aussi intelligent que son frère.

English: He is as smart as his brother.

C’est la plus belle chanson.

English: This is the most beautiful song.

Paul est le moins rapide de la classe.

English: Paul is the least fast in the class.

Tips

Remember to agree the adjective with the noun (masculine/feminine, singular/plural).
Use 'le', 'la', or 'les' for the superlative, depending on the gender and number of the noun.
Do not use 'de' after 'que' in comparisons.

Exceptions and edge cases

The adjectives 'bon' (good) and 'mauvais' (bad) have irregular comparative and superlative forms: 'meilleur(e)' (better), 'le/la/les meilleur(e)(s)' (the best); 'pire' (worse), 'le/la/les pire(s)' (the worst).