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Comparatives and superlatives

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The comparative & the superlative 1

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The comparative 1

When you compare two or more things, you will probably need to use the words plus and moins.

When you compare two or more things, you will probably need to use the words plus and moins.

Plus means “more” and you can use it to say that something is more important, bigger, smaller, more interesting, etc.

Plus means “more” and you can use it to say that something is more important, bigger, smaller, more interesting, etc.

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The comparative 2

Le train est plus cher que le bus. –

The train is more expensive than the bus.

Le lièvre est plus rapide que la tortue. –

The hare is faster (literally “more fast”) than the tortoise.

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Le football est moins intéressant que le rugby. –

Football is less interesting than rugby.

The comparative 3

Moins works in the same way, but means the opposite. It is used to say that something is less big, fast, expensive, etc. than something else.

Moins works in the same way, but means the opposite. It is used to say that something is less big, fast, expensive, etc. than something else.

Le ski est moins difficile que l’escalade. –

Skiing is less difficult than climbing.

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L’histoire est aussi ennuyeuse que les maths. –

History is as boring as maths.

The comparative 4

Aussi works in the same way, but means ‘as… as’. It is used to say that something is as big, fast, expensive, etc. as something else.

Aussi works in the same way, but means ‘as… as’. It is used to say that something is as big, fast, expensive, etc. as something else.

La tortue est aussi lente que le lézard. –

The tortoise is as slow as the lizard.

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Le français est aussi intéressant que l’espagnol. –

French is as interesting as Spanish.

The comparative 5

La voiture est moins lente que le vélo. –

The car is less slow than the bicycle.

With plus, moins and aussi it is important that you remember to make the adjective agree with what is being described.

With plus, moins and aussi it is important that you remember to make the adjective agree with what is being described.

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(feminine form = meilleure)

(masculine form is the same)

Mon vélo est meilleur que sa moto. –

My bike is better than his motorbike.

Ma voiture est pire que la voiture de ma mère. –

My car is worse than my mother’s car.

The comparative 6

There are some irregular forms to remember, however. If you want to say that something is better or worse than something else, you need to use these expressions:

There are some irregular forms to remember, however. If you want to say that something is better or worse than something else, you need to use these expressions:

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The comparative 7

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Which of the following sentences do you agree with?

1 L’autobus est moins cher que le train.

2 L’Eurostar est plus confortable que le ferry.

3 L’histoire est plus intéressante que les maths.

4 Le français est moins ennuyeux que le dessin.

5 Le chocolat est plus délicieux que les épinards.

6 Le thé est plus rafraîchissant que l’eau minérale.

7 Le foot est moins passionnant que le cricket.

8 Le golf est plus difficile que la natation.How could you change the sentences that you don’t agree with to make them more acceptable?

The comparative 8

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Le TGV est le train français le plus rapide. –

The TGV is the fastest French train.

The superlative 1

The superlative is used to say that something is the biggest, the best, the most interesting, the least exciting, etc. Look at the following sentences:

The superlative is used to say that something is the biggest, the best, the most interesting, the least exciting, etc. Look at the following sentences:

Sylvie est la plus intelligente du groupe.–

Sylvie is the most intelligent in the group.

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la plus belle voiture – the most beautiful car

You can see from these examples that to form the superlative, you use:

The superlative 2

le garçon le plus intelligent – the cleverest boy

You may also notice from the above examples that if an adjective usually goes before the noun (beau / belle), then the superlative will also go before the noun.

If an adjective usually goes after the noun (agréable) then the superlative will also go after the noun.

le / la + plus / moins + correct form of the adjective:

la plus belle voiture – the most beautiful car

le garçon le plus intelligent – the cleverest boy

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Just like the comparative, the superlative also has its irregularities:

Le meilleur vélo

La meilleure moto

The best bike

The best motorbike

Le pire train

La pire voiture

The worst train

The worst car

The superlative 3

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The superlative 4

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Il roule plus lentement que toi. –

He drives more slowly than you.

Comparative adverbs 1

Both plus, moins and aussi can be used with adverbs as well as adjectives, to say that someone is doing something more quickly, less slowly etc. than someone else:

Both plus, moins and aussi can be used with adverbs as well as adjectives, to say that someone is doing something more quickly, less slowly etc. than someone else:

Marie écrit moins souvent que Sophie. –

Marie writes less frequently than Sophie.

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Je conduis mieux que toi. –

I drive better than you. (no plus or moins!)

Comparative adverbs 2

But it is important to remember that in this case there are also some irregular forms:

But it is important to remember that in this case there are also some irregular forms:

Je conduis pis que toi. –

I drive worse than you. (no plus or moins!)

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Comparative adverbs 3

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Il court le plus vite. –

He runs the fastest.

Superlative adverbs 1

Both plus and moins can be used with adverbs as well as adjectives, to say that someone is doing something the most quickly, the least slowly etc.:

Both plus and moins can be used with adverbs as well as adjectives, to say that someone is doing something the most quickly, the least slowly etc.:

C'est Alice qui parle le plus fort. –

It’s Alice that speaks the loudest.

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You can see from these examples that to form the superlative, you use:

Superlative adverbs 2

le* + followed by plus (more) or moins (less) before the adverb:

If you want to say that something is performed in the best manner, you need to use this expression:

C'est Anne qui travaille le mieux. – It’s Anne that works the best.

C’est Ali qui chante le plus mal – It’s Ali that sings the worst.

le mieux – the best

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The comparative & the superlative 2