Introduction à la comparaison en français

Introduction to Comparison in French

• French, like English, uses comparative and superlative forms to express degrees of difference between things.
• These forms are crucial for expressing relative qualities or quantities.

Comparative Degree

• Used to compare two things.

• Formed in different ways depending on the adjective.

• Regular Adjectives:

• Add -er to the positive form for most adjectives. Example: grand (big) > plus grand (bigger).

• Use "plus" before the adjective to form the comparative. Example: intelligent (intelligent) > plus intelligent (more intelligent).

• Use "moins" before the adjective to indicate "less". Example : intelligent (intelligent) > moins intelligent (less intelligent).

• "Plus" and "moins" are used with the positive form.

• Irregular Adjectives:

• Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms. Example: bon (good) > meilleur (better), mauvais (bad) > pire (worse).

• Learn these irregular forms separately.

• Comparative of Equality:

• Use "aussi" + adjective + "que" to show equality in comparison. Example: Elle est aussi intelligente que lui (She is as intelligent as him/her)

Superlative Degree

• Used to compare one thing to all others of its kind.

• Different structures depending on the adjective; using the same approach as with the comparative, and "plus" and "moins".

• Regular Adjectives:

• Add -e or -es to the positive adjective. Example: petit (small) > le plus petit (the smallest).

• Use "le/la/les + plus" to form the superlative. Example: le plus intelligent (the most intelligent).

• Use "le/la/les + moins" to form the inferior superlative. Example: Le moins intelligent (the least intelligent).

• Irregular Adjectives:

• Irregular superlative forms exist and must be learned. Example: bon (good) > le meilleur (the best), mauvais (bad)> le pire (the worst).

• Emphasis and Structure:

• The position of "le/la/les + plus" before the adjective is fixed.

• The structure can also be used in compound comparative and superlative constructions.

Other Important Considerations

• Quantities: Comparisons of quantities use "plus" and "moins" in similar ways to adjectives.

• Nouns: For nouns, the use of "comparatif" and "superlatif" is less common. Comparison with nouns might use prepositions or more complex grammatical constructions to denote greater or lesser degrees. Using "plus grand" or "plus petit" (bigger/smaller) might be used to express size comparisons.

• Context: Always consider the context when using comparative and superlative forms to ensure accuracy and precision.