This French 2 lesson explains comparatives in French step by step, with examples in French and English. Then practise with the worksheet on comparatives in French and check yourself with the quiz.
Quick answer: To compare in French, use plus … que (more than), moins … que (less than) and aussi … que (as … as) with adjectives and adverbs. For quantities, use plus de, moins de or autant de. The comparative of bon is meilleur, and of bien it is mieux.
Level: French 2 (high school, ACTFL Novice High) · Standards: ACTFL Novice High, WL 1.1 Interpersonal, WL 1.2 Interpretive, WL 1.3 Presentational
Comparatives in French: the lesson
How do you compare two people or things with an adjective?
Comparative
A comparative says whether one person or thing has more, less or the same amount of a quality as another. In French, the structure surrounds the adjective: plus / moins / aussi + adjective + que.
| Meaning | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| more | plus … que | Lyon est plus grande que Nantes. |
| less | moins … que | Ce sac est moins lourd que le tien. |
| equal | aussi … que | Karim est aussi rapide que Lola. |
The adjective still agrees with the first noun: Les pommes sont moins chères que les poires. — Apples are cheaper than pears. The same words work with adverbs: Elle court plus vite que moi. — She runs faster than me.
How do you compare quantities of nouns?
Rule: de + noun
With nouns, add de: plus de, moins de, autant de + noun + que. Verbs take the structure without an adjective: plus que, moins que, autant que.
Examples
- Il y a plus de touristes à Paris qu’à Nantes. — There are more tourists in Paris than in Nantes.
- J’ai autant de devoirs que ma sœur. — I have as much homework as my sister.
- Cette tablette coûte moins que l’autre. — This tablet costs less than the other one.
What is the difference between meilleur and mieux?
Meilleur is the comparative of the adjective bon, so it agrees: Cette glace est meilleure que celle-là. — This ice cream is better than that one. Mieux is the comparative of the adverb bien and never changes: Il chante mieux que son frère. — He sings better than his brother.
Which pronouns follow que?
After que, use a stress pronoun: Tu es plus patient que moi. — You are more patient than me. Nous jouons mieux qu’eux. — We play better than they do.
Common mistake
English speakers say “more good” in their head and write plus bon. Use meilleur instead. Also avoid plus mieux: mieux already means “better.”
Culture note
French shops and markets display the price per kilo or per liter (le prix au kilo) next to the total, so shoppers can compare products quickly.
Zoé’s tip
Try swapping the word. If you can say “good” (bon), choose meilleur. If you can say “well” (bien), choose mieux.
Key points to remember
- Plus, moins and aussi go before the adjective or adverb, then que.
- For nouns, use plus de, moins de or autant de, then que.
- Bon becomes meilleur and agrees: meilleur, meilleure, meilleurs, meilleures.
- Bien becomes mieux, which never changes.
- After que, use a stress pronoun: moi, toi, lui, elle, nous, vous, eux, elles.
More, Less and As Much As: frequently asked questions
How do you say “taller than” in French?
Say plus grand que for a masculine noun and plus grande que for a feminine noun. For example: Ma cousine est plus grande que moi. The adjective agrees with the person described.
When do you use meilleur and when mieux?
Use meilleur with a noun, like un meilleur plan. Use mieux with a verb, like Elle dessine mieux. Meilleur agrees in gender and number, but mieux is invariable.
How do you compare quantities?
Use plus de, moins de or autant de before the noun, then que. For example: Il y a moins de neige à Annecy qu’à Chamonix. No article follows de in this structure.
Which pronoun comes after que in a comparison?
Use a stress pronoun: moi, toi, lui, elle, nous, vous, eux or elles. Say Il est plus rapide que toi, not que tu.
What is the difference between aussi and autant?
Aussi goes with adjectives and adverbs: aussi grand que. Autant goes with verbs or with de plus a noun: autant de livres que.