Comparative vs Superlative – Easy guide to adverb types

Key takeaways

• Comparative (le comparatif) = compare two things (plus… que, moins… que, aussi… que).
• Superlative (le superlatif) = highlight the most/least (le plus, le moins).
• Used with adjectives, adverbs, and nouns.
• Common irregulars: bon → meilleur, bien → mieux, mauvais → pire.
• Mastering them improves descriptions, comparisons, and natural fluency.

What Are Comparatives and Superlatives in French?

In French, comparatives and superlatives express how things or people differ.

• Comparative = showing difference or similarity: 
  
  • Paul est plus grand que Marie. → Paul is taller than Marie.
• Superlative = showing the highest or lowest degree: 
  
  • Paul est le plus grand de la classe. → Paul is the tallest in the class.

The Comparative in French (Le Comparatif)

1. Superiority (plus… que)

• Elle est plus rapide que lui. → She is faster than him.

2. Inferiority (moins… que)

• Ce film est moins intéressant que l’autre. → This movie is less interesting than the other.

3. Equality (aussi… que)

• Il est aussi intelligent que sa sœur. → He is as intelligent as his sister.

The Superlative in French (Le Superlatif)

Superlatives highlight the most or least quality.

Formula: le/la/les + plus/moins + adjective

• C’est le plus beau monument de Paris. → It’s the most beautiful monument in Paris.
• Elle est la moins sportive de la famille. → She is the least athletic in the family.

With adverbs:

• Il court le plus vite. → He runs the fastest.

Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives

Some forms don’t follow the plus/moins pattern.

Comparatives and Superlatives with Nouns

To compare quantities, use:

• plus de / moins de / autant de + noun + que 
  
  • Il a plus de livres que moi. → He has more books than me.
  • Nous avons autant de travail que vous. → We have as much work as you.

Superlative with nouns: le plus de / le moins de + noun

• Elle a le plus de patience. → She has the most patience.

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Comparative vs Superlative – Side by Side

Examples in Context

• Mon frère est plus âgé que moi, mais je suis le plus drôle. → My brother is older than me, but I’m the funniest.
• Ce restaurant est aussi bon que l’autre, mais il est le moins cher. → This restaurant is as good as the other, but it is the least expensive.
• Ils travaillent mieux que nous, mais nous avons eu les meilleurs résultats. → They work better than us, but we had the best results.

Common Mistakes

• ❌ Forgetting the article in the superlative (plus grand instead of le plus grand).
• ❌ Mixing meilleur (adjective) with mieux (adverb).
• ❌ Leaving out que in comparisons.

Exercises: Practice Comparatives and Superlatives

1. Fill in the blanks

• Marie est ________ (more intelligent than) Paul.
• Ce film est ________ (the best) que j’ai vu.
• Ils travaillent ________ (as much as) nous.

2. Translate into French

• She is the tallest in the class.
• This car is less expensive than that one.
• He sings better than everyone.

3. Correct the mistakes

• ❌ Elle est plus jolie de sa sœur.
• ❌ Il est le plus mieux joueur.

Answers

1. plus intelligente que | le meilleur | autant que
2. Elle est la plus grande de la classe | Cette voiture est moins chère que celle-là | Il chante mieux que tout le monde
3. Elle est plus jolie que sa sœur | Il est le meilleur joueur

Tips for Mastering Comparatives and Superlatives

• Learn the difference: comparative = two things, superlative = highest/lowest degree.
• Always use que in comparisons.
• Practice irregular forms like meilleur, mieux, pire.
• Use them in everyday descriptions: people, food, places.

For more insights, explore our French verb tenses overview. To improve study habits, check learning French effectively. And to plan your progress, see how long it takes to learn French fluently.

Summary

Comparatives and superlatives in French (le comparatif et le superlatif) allow you to compare and rank qualities. Comparatives use plus/moins/aussi… que, while superlatives use le/la/les + plus/moins.

Helpful references include Talk in French’s French Comparatives and Superlatives and Lingolia’s grammar guide. With practice, you’ll easily form sentences like plus rapide que, le plus rapide as you learn French with Promova.