Le Comparatif et le Superlatif Using comparatives and superlatives in French “Le Sud” est une des meilleures pièces que j’aie vues.

Making comparisons in English When we compare things in English, we either add -er to the adjective or say that something is ‘more ...’ than... eg: This book is newer than that one. That book is more interesting than this one. Some adjectives are irregular, such as ‘good’ > ‘better’ and ‘bad’ > ‘worse’.

So, how do I do that in French? Very easily - you just use ‘plus’ (more) with the adjective + que... ex. Ce livre-là est plus intéressant que celui-ci. ‘Good’ & ‘bad’ also have irregular comparatives in French. bon > meilleur mauvais > pire - but you may also say “plus mauvais”. You must make your adjective agree. ex. Lisette est plus grande que Françoise.

Des exemples... Cet homme est plus grand que ces femmes. Camilla est plus âgée que Charles.

What if things are similar? In English, we can say that something is “as...as” something else. eg. This book is as good as that one. In French, use “aussi...que”. ex. Ce livre-ci est aussi bon que celui-là.

Par exemple... Le film “Le Placard” est aussi bon que “Le Dîner des Cons”.

What about unfavourable comparisons? In English, we have 2 ways of doing this - we can say that something is “less... than” or “not as...as” ... eg. This book is less interesting than that one. OR This book isn’t as interesting as... In French, you use “moins” or “ne pas aussi ...” que... (or ‘si...que’). ex. Ce livre est moins intéressant que celui-là. OU Ce livre n’est pas aussi/si intéressant que celui-là.

Par exemple... Le train Corail est moins confortable que le TGV. Le train Corail n’est pas si confortable que le TGV.

What about comparing actions? You can compare actions, using adverbs, in a similar way, except, of course, you don’t have to worry about agreements. plus...que; moins...que; aussi...que Lucie court plus vite que Sandrine. Sandrine court moins vite que Lucie. Delphine court aussi vite que Sandrine. Delphine ne court pas si vite que Lucie.

Any irregular adverbs? In English, well > better, bad > worse. In French, bien > mieux, mal > plus mal OR pis. Pierre chante mieux que Jean. Jean chante pis que Pierre. (To be kinder: J chante moins bien que P.) NB These days, use of ‘pire’ (adj) or ‘pis’ (adv) is a bit more judgmental or moralistic.

Using pronouns in comparisons After ‘que’ in a comparison, use the Disjunctive Pronoun. moi nous toi vous lui eux elle elles Il est plus intelligent que moi. Je suis moins intelligente que lui.

How about extremes?? In English, to form the Superlative, we use “the most...” or “the ...est”. In French, you precede the comparative form with ‘le/la/les’. ex. Marc est le plus intelligent des trois garçons. (Marc is the most intelligent of the 3 boys.) de is used to mean ‘in’. ex. Marc est le plus intelligent de la classe. (Marc is the most intelligent in the class.)

Seems easy, any tricks? Bien sûr, this is French! With adjectives which precede the noun, no problem. ex. Anne est la plus jolie fille de la classe. La Loire est le plus long fleuve de la France. But if the adjective FOLLOWS the noun (as most do), you end up with two definite articles; 1 before & 1 after the noun!! ex. Marie est la fille la plus intelligente de la classe. Marc est le garçon le plus paresseux de la classe. NB If you want to say a film is the best you’ve (ever) seen or a book the best you’ve read, use a special form of avoir: C’est le meilleur film que j’aie (jamais) vu.

And superlatives of adverbs? Just add ‘le’ to the comparative - it is invariable. Pierre court le plus vite de tous les garçons. Marie chante le mieux de la chorale. Étienne travaille le moins sérieusement. Je parle le plus couramment. NB “the worst” - use either “le plus mal” or “le pis” - the latter is less common. Il chante le plus mal de tous.

(rapide= fast (adj); vite= fast (adv) Par exemple... Ce sont les coureurs les plus rapides du monde. Ils courent le plus vite. (rapide= fast (adj); vite= fast (adv)