{"id":2564,"date":"2026-06-10T12:02:21","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T10:02:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/?p=2564"},"modified":"2026-06-10T12:02:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T10:02:22","slug":"french-comparatives-plus-moins-aussi-autant-a-complete-guide-with-examples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/en\/french-comparatives-plus-moins-aussi-autant-a-complete-guide-with-examples\/","title":{"rendered":"French comparatives: plus, moins, aussi, autant \u2014 a complete guide with examples"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you&#8217;re learning French, at some point you&#8217;ll want to make comparisons: say that one city is bigger than another, that you eat as much as your friend, or that today is less cold than yesterday. These are perfectly natural things to say in everyday conversation \u2014 but in French, they follow a specific grammatical structure called <em><strong>le comparatif<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The good news is that French comparatives are logical, consistent, and \u2014 once you&#8217;ve got the basic pattern down \u2014 genuinely easy to use. In this article, we&#8217;ll cover how they work, what forms they take, how they apply to different types of words, and \u2014 to give your French a more authentic edge \u2014 some essential idiomatic expressions built with <em>comme<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. What is the comparative?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The comparative is used to <strong>compare two elements<\/strong>: people, objects, actions, qualities. In French, there are three types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Comparatif de sup\u00e9riorit\u00e9<\/strong> \u2192 &#8220;more&#8230; than&#8221; (e.g. <em>faster than<\/em>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Comparatif d&#8217;inf\u00e9riorit\u00e9<\/strong> \u2192 &#8220;less&#8230; than&#8221; (e.g. <em>less expensive than<\/em>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Comparatif d&#8217;\u00e9galit\u00e9<\/strong> \u2192 &#8220;as&#8230; as&#8221; (e.g. <em>as good as<\/em>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The second element of the comparison is always introduced by the conjunction <strong>que<\/strong> (sometimes followed by <em>de<\/em>). This is the thread that runs through the whole structure: whatever type of comparative you&#8217;re using, <em>que<\/em> is always the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Comparative of an adjective or adverb<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you want to compare a quality or the way something is done, you use the comparative with <strong>adjectives<\/strong> (tall, friendly, fast\u2026) or <strong>adverbs<\/strong> (often, well, late\u2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The structure is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>plus \/ moins \/ aussi + adjective or adverb + que<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s how it works in practice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#135b79\" class=\"has-inline-color\">&#8211; <em>Pierre est <\/em><strong><em>plus sportif<\/em><\/strong><em> que toi.<\/em>\u00a0<br>&#8211; <em>Ton fr\u00e8re sourit <\/em><strong><em>moins souvent<\/em><\/strong><em> que ta s\u0153ur.<\/em>\u00a0<br>&#8211; <em>Josiane est <\/em><strong><em>aussi grande<\/em><\/strong><em> que sa m\u00e8re.<\/em>\u00a0<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The structure stays the same throughout: just choose between <em>plus<\/em>, <em>moins<\/em>, and <em>aussi<\/em> depending on the type of comparison you want to make. The adjective still agrees in gender and number as normal \u2014 the comparative doesn&#8217;t change any of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Comparative of a noun<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to compare <strong>quantities<\/strong> of things \u2014 people, objects, ideas? In this case, the comparative is built around the noun rather than the adjective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The structure changes slightly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>plus \/ moins \/ autant + de + noun + que (de)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One important note: for equality, you use <strong>autant de<\/strong>, not <em>aussi de<\/em>. This is one of the most common mistakes English speakers make when learning French!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#135b79\" class=\"has-inline-color\">&#8211; <em>M. Duroc a <\/em><strong><em>plus d&#8217;autorit\u00e9<\/em><\/strong><em> que son coll\u00e8gue.<\/em>\u00a0<br>&#8211; <em>Il y a <\/em><strong><em>moins de jeunes<\/em><\/strong><em> que d&#8217;adultes.<\/em><br>&#8211; <em>Elle mange <\/em><strong><em>autant de glaces<\/em><\/strong><em> que de g\u00e2teaux.<\/em><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note that <em>de<\/em> always comes before the noun, and shortens to <em>d&#8217;<\/em> before a vowel \u2014 just like the partitive article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Comparative of a verb<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you want to compare <strong>actions<\/strong> \u2014 not qualities or quantities, but what someone actually does \u2014 the comparative is built directly around the verb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The structure is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>verb + plus \/ moins \/ autant + que<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here the comparative comes after the verb, making the construction very direct:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#135b79\" class=\"has-inline-color\">&#8211; <em>Cette ann\u00e9e les arbres <strong>fleurissent <\/strong><\/em><strong><em>plus <\/em><\/strong><em>que l&#8217;ann\u00e9e derni\u00e8re.<\/em>\u00a0<br>&#8211; <em>Mes amis <strong>travaillent<\/strong> <\/em><strong><em>moins<\/em><\/strong><em> que moi.<\/em>\u00a0<br>&#8211; <em>Paul <strong>mange <\/strong><\/em><strong><em>autant<\/em><\/strong><em> que toi.<\/em>\u00a0<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, <em>autant<\/em> is the right word for equality with a verb \u2014 not <em>aussi<\/em>, which is reserved for adjectives and adverbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Similarity, difference and other useful comparisons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond the core comparative structures, French has a range of other tools for comparing two elements. These aren&#8217;t comparatives in the strict sense, but they come up constantly in everyday speech and are well worth knowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Le m\u00eame \/ un autre<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you want to say two things are <strong>the same<\/strong> or <strong>different<\/strong>, you can use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>le\/la\/les m\u00eame(s) + noun (+ que)<\/strong> \u2192 the same<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>un(e)\/des autre(s) + noun (+ que)<\/strong> \u2192 another, other<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#135b79\" class=\"has-inline-color\">&#8211; <em>J&#8217;ai achet\u00e9 <\/em><strong><em>le m\u00eame chemisier <\/em><\/strong><em>que toi.<\/em> <br>&#8211; <em>Il a fait <\/em><strong><em>d&#8217;autres projets<\/em><\/strong><em> que moi.<\/em> <\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pareil \u00e0, semblable \u00e0, diff\u00e9rent de<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To express similarity or difference more descriptively, French uses specific adjectives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>pareil(le) \u00e0<\/strong> \u2192 the same as, identical to<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>semblable \u00e0<\/strong> \u2192 similar to<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>diff\u00e9rent(e) de<\/strong> \u2192 different from<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#135b79\" class=\"has-inline-color\">&#8211; <em>Cette veste est <\/em><strong><em>semblable \u00e0<\/em><\/strong><em> la mienne.<\/em> <br>&#8211; <em>Son caract\u00e8re est tr\u00e8s <\/em><strong><em>diff\u00e9rent de<\/em><\/strong><em> celui de sa s\u0153ur.<\/em> <\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comparing with &#8220;comme&#8221;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, to compare the way someone is or does something, French uses <strong>comme<\/strong> after an adjective or verb:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#135b79\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><em>&#8211; Patricia s&#8217;habille toujours <\/em><strong><em>comme<\/em><\/strong><em> El\u00e9onore.<\/em> <\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Expressions with &#8220;comme&#8221;: sounding naturally French<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the things that makes French so expressive \u2014 and so much fun to learn \u2014 is its rich stock of idiomatic expressions built with <em>comme<\/em>. These belong to the familiar, colourful register of everyday spoken French: use them, and you&#8217;ll immediately sound more natural and fluent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some of the most widely used:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Expression<\/th><th>Meaning<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><em>rouge comme une tomate<\/em><\/td><td>to be very flushed, embarrassed<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>haut comme trois pommes<\/em><\/td><td>to be very short (of a person)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>gentille comme tout<\/em><\/td><td>to be incredibly kind<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>comme un poisson dans l&#8217;eau<\/em><\/td><td>completely in one&#8217;s element<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>trembler comme une feuille<\/em><\/td><td>to shake uncontrollably (from fear or cold)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>maigre comme un clou<\/em><\/td><td>to be extremely thin<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These images are very much alive in everyday conversation. A native speaker uses them without thinking \u2014 and being able to recognise them when you hear them, or drop one in at the right moment, is a clear sign of authentic, confident French.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Practical tip<\/em>: try learning two or three at a time and picture the image vividly in your mind. Visual association is one of the most effective ways to lock idiomatic expressions into long-term memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Common mistakes to avoid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even with a fairly regular structure, there are a few traps that catch English speakers out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u274c <em>Elle mange aussi de g\u00e2teaux que moi.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2714\ufe0f <em>Elle mange <strong>autant de<\/strong> g\u00e2teaux que moi.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With nouns, equality is expressed with <strong>autant de<\/strong>, not <em>aussi de<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u274c <em>Il est aussi grand <strong>comme<\/strong> toi.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2714\ufe0f <em>Il est aussi grand <strong>que<\/strong> toi.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second term of a comparison always takes <strong>que<\/strong>, not <em>comme<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u274c <em>J&#8217;ai bu autant caf\u00e9 que toi.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2714\ufe0f <em>J&#8217;ai bu autant <strong>de<\/strong> caf\u00e9 que toi.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t forget the <strong>de<\/strong> between <em>autant\/plus\/moins<\/em> and the noun \u2014 it&#8217;s mandatory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u274c <em>Paul travaille aussi que Marie.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2714\ufe0f <em>Paul travaille <strong>autant<\/strong> que Marie.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When comparing verbs, use <strong><em>autant<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 never <em>aussi<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Quick reference table<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s a summary of all the main structures at a glance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>What you&#8217;re comparing<\/th><th>More than<\/th><th>Less than<\/th><th>As much as<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Adjective \/ Adverb<\/strong><\/td><td>plus + adj\/adv + que<\/td><td>moins + adj\/adv + que<\/td><td>aussi + adj\/adv + que<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Noun<\/strong><\/td><td>plus de + noun + que<\/td><td>moins de + noun + que<\/td><td>autant de + noun + que<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Verb<\/strong><\/td><td>verb + plus + que<\/td><td>verb + moins + que<\/td><td>verb + autant + que<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep it handy while you practise \u2014 within a few days, these structures will start to feel second nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Want to go deeper?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/app\/en\/resources\/fr\/a2\">&#8220;Le comparatif&#8221; grammar sheet<\/a> from the Sillabi resources: it lays out the full structure in a clear, concise format \u2014 perfect to keep on hand while you study or practise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. Take your French to the next level<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing how to use comparatives is a key step towards expressing yourself in French with precision and confidence. But it&#8217;s just one of the many building blocks of solid language skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to learn French in a structured, progressive, and enjoyable way, take a look at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/app\/en\/course\/fr\">Et voil\u00e0!<\/a> course \u2014 a step-by-step programme designed to turn grammar rules into natural reflexes, with clear explanations and content that makes French genuinely accessible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not sure where you stand? Take the free online <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/app\/en\/assessment\/fr\">level test<\/a>: in just a few minutes, you&#8217;ll find out exactly where in the course to start.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re learning French, at some point you&#8217;ll want to make comparisons: say that one city is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[120,117],"tags":[713,712,641,260,715,504],"class_list":["post-2564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-a2-french","category-fr-french","tag-autant","tag-comparatif","tag-grammaire","tag-grammar","tag-moins","tag-plus"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2564","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2564"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2564\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2573,"href":"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2564\/revisions\/2573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2564"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2564"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2564"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}