French Comparatives - Comparing with Nouns

When comparing with nouns, use plus de (noun) que for superiority, moins de (noun) que for inferiority, and autant de (noun) que for equality.

Noun: livre (book)
   plus de livres (more books)
   moins de livres (fewer books)
   autant de livres (as many books)


Types of comparisons with nouns

1. Compare the amount of a noun between two subjects.

   Jean veut autant d'amis que Luc.
   Jean wants as many friends as Luc (has).

   La France a plus de vin que l'Allemagne.
   France has more wine than Germany.

2. Compare two nouns (note that the second noun must also be preceded by de).

   Jean a plus d'intelligence que de bon sens.
   Jean has more brains than sense.

   Jeanne a autant d'amis que d'ennemis.
   Jeanne has as many friends as enemies.

3. Compare a noun over time.

   Jean connaît moins de gens qu'avant.
   Jean knows fewer people than (he did) before.

   Jeanne a autant d'idées que toujours.
   Jeanne has as many ideas as ever.

Note: You can also make an implied comparison to any of the above by leaving out que.

   Jean veut autant d'amis.
   Jean wants as many friends.

   La France a plus de vin.
   France has more wine.


French comparatives and superlatives
Introduction to comparatives
Comparatives with adjectives
Comparatives with adverbs
Comparatives with nouns
Comparatives with verbs