français · A2 · grammar · 4 minutes
Comparisons with plus, moins, and aussi
Compare qualities with que and quantities with plus de or moins de.
Understand the choice
French comparison has two tracks. Qualities wrap the adjective or adverb, while counted or measured nouns require de. Equality is aussi for a quality but autant de for a quantity.
Core rule: Use plus/moins/aussi + adjective or adverb + que; use plus de/moins de/autant de + noun + que for quantities.
Notice it in context
Ce train est plus rapide que le bus, mais il est moins confortable.
This train is faster than the bus, but it is less comfortable.
Plus surrounds rapide before que; moins modifies confortable without repeating the comparison target.
Lina travaille aussi vite que Marc.
Lina works as quickly as Marc.
Aussi + adverb + que compares the manner of working.
Nous avons moins de temps qu’hier.
We have less time than yesterday.
A noun quantity requires moins de; que elides before hier.
What to remember
- Bon has the irregular comparative meilleur; bien has mieux.
- Plus is normally pronounced without its final s before an adjective, though liaison patterns vary.
Common trap: Do not say aussi de temps. Noun equality uses autant de temps; aussi compares an adjective or adverb.