Plus, Moins, Aussi (Comparatives)

Learning ObjectivesI can compare two things using « plus...que » (more...than) [ploos...kuh].I can compare two things using « moins...que » (less...than) [mwan...kuh].I can compare two things using « aussi...que » (as...as) [oh-SEE...kuh].I can correctly use the irregular comparatives « meilleur » (better) [may-YUHR] and « pire » (worse) [peer].Imagine you're shopping for a new cell phone with a friend. 📱 How do you explain that your current phone is less fast than the new model? Or that one phone's camera is better than another's? Comparatives help us do exactly that!Real-World ApplicationsChoosing a product at the store.Discussing your preferences for movies or music.Comparing the performance of two hockey teams.Explaining the differences between two cities or countries.

French TermEnglish ExplanationExampleplus ... que (more ... than) [ploos ... kuh]Used to show something is 'more ... than' something else.Le lion est (The lion is) plus grand que (bigger than) [ploos grahn kuh] le chat (the cat).moins ... que (less ... than) [mwan ... kuh]Used to show something is 'less ... than' something else.Le vélo est (The bike is) moins rapide que (less fast than) [mwan ra-PEED kuh] la voiture (the car).aussi ... que (as ... as) [oh-SEE ... kuh]Used to show that two things are equal ('as ... as').Ma sœur est (My sister is) aussi grande que (as tall as) [oh-SEE grahnd kuh] moi (me).bon / bonne (good) [bohn / bun]The adjective for 'good'. Use `bon` for masculine nouns and `bonne` for feminine nouns.Cette poutine est (This poutine is) bonne (good) [bun].meilleur / meill...

1. The Basic StructureRule: To compare with an adjective or adverb, use this structure:[plus (more) [ploos] / moins (less) [mwan] / aussi (as) [oh-SEE]] + [adjective/adverb] + que (than/as) [kuh]Example (adjective): Le Québec est (Quebec is) plus grand que (bigger than) [ploos grahn kuh] la France (France).Example (adverb): Il court (He runs) plus vite que (faster than) [ploos veet kuh] moi (me).2. Adjective AgreementRule: The adjective in a comparison always agrees in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the first noun being compared.Example: La pomme est (The apple is) plus rouge que (redder than) [ploos roozh kuh] la banane (the banana). (`rouge` is feminine singular to agree with `pomme`)Example: Les pommes sont (The apples are) plus rouges que (redder than) [p...