12.2.5

Comparative & Superlative Adjectives

Test yourself

Comparing Adjectives

To compare adjectives in French, rather than say 'small', 'smaller', 'smallest, you say 'more', 'less' or 'as'.

Illustrative background for Plus - moreIllustrative background for Plus - more ?? "content

Plus - more

  • Alex est plus grande que Sam.
    • Alex is taller than Sam.
  • Nick est plus rapide que lui.
    • Theo is quicker than him.
  • Flora est plus intelligente que Samantha.
    • Flora is more intelligent than Samantha.
Illustrative background for Moins - lessIllustrative background for Moins - less ?? "content

Moins - less

  • Theo est moins rapide que moi.
    • Theo is less quick than me.
  • Mon frère est moins grande que moi.
    • My brother is less tall than me.
  • Je suis moins intelligent que lui.
    • I am less intelligent than him.
Illustrative background for Aussi - asIllustrative background for Aussi - as ?? "content

Aussi - as

  • Bella est aussi belle que Lucy.
    • Bella is as beautiful as Lucy.
  • Je suis aussi intelligent que toi.
    • I am as intelligent as you.
  • Tu es aussi vite que lui.
    • You are as quick as him.

Superlative Adjectives

When talking about 'the best' or the 'worst', in French you need to use 'le', 'la', or 'les' before 'plus' or 'moins'. The adjectives still have to agree.

Illustrative background for 'Le, la, les plus'Illustrative background for 'Le, la, les plus' ?? "content

'Le, la, les plus'

  • C'est le plus grand de la famille.
    • He is the tallest in the family.
  • J'ai acheté la maison la plus chère.
    • I bought the most expensive house.
  • Sam est le plus bizarre.
    • Sam is the weirdest.
Illustrative background for 'Le, la, les moins'Illustrative background for 'Le, la, les moins' ?? "content

'Le, la, les moins'

  • J'ai acheté la maison la moins chère.
    • I bought the cheapest house.
  • Toby est le moins fort.
    • Toby is the weakest.
  • C'est la moins sportive.
    • She is the least sporty.

Good, Better, Best

To say 'good', 'better', 'best' in French, you can't use 'plus' or 'moins'. They have their own words.

Illustrative background for Good, better, bestIllustrative background for Good, better, best ?? "content

Good, better, best

  • Bon(ne)(s) → meilleur(e)(s) - Good → better.
  • Meilleur(e)(s) → Le/la/les meilleur(e)(s) - Better → best.
    • Ce film est meilleur que le dernier.
      • This film is better than the last one.
Illustrative background for Bad, worse, worstIllustrative background for Bad, worse, worst ?? "content

Bad, worse, worst

  • Mauvais(e)(s) → pire(s) - Bad → worse.
  • Pire(s) → Le/la/les pire(s) - Worse → worst.
    • C'était le pire livre que j'aie jamais lu.
      • It was the worst book that I ever read.

Jump to other topics

1The Changing Nature of Family

2The 'cyber-society'

3The Place of Voluntary Work

4Diverse Society

5The Marginalised

6How Criminals Are Treated

7A Culture Proud of its Heritage

8Cinema: the 7th Art Form

9Demonstrations, strikes – who holds the power?

10Politics & Immigration

11Conjugation & Use of Tenses

11.1Present Tense

11.2Perfect Tense

11.3Imperfect Tense

11.4Future Tense

11.5Conditional Tense

11.6Future Perfect Tense

11.7Conditional Perfect Tense

11.8Pluperfect Tense

12Extra Grammar

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson