Comparative of French adverbs

How to use the comparative with French adverbs

Adverbs can be used to make comparisons in French, just as they can in English. The comparative of adverbs (French: les degrés de l'adverbe) is formed using the same phrases as for adjectives.

In general we differ between two regular comparative forms:

• the Comparative (French: le comperatif de supériorité/ d'inferorité) which compares two things or persons.
• the Superlative   (French: le superlatif de supérorité/ d'infériorité) which is the highest degree of comparison. 

The regular comparative is formed by placing plus, moins or aussi before and que after the adverb.

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Comparatives with plus/moins and le plus/le moins

• Anna court plus vite que Peter. (Anna runs faster than Peter.)
• Anna court le plus vite possible. (Anna runs as fast as possible.)
• Julien est moins vite que Sandrine. (Julien runs slower than Sandrine.
• Ce peinture est le moins intéressante du musée. (This painting is the least interesting in the museum.)

Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives - beaucoup, peu, bien

There are only a few exceptions when it comes to building the comparative and superlative forms of adverbs. These are: beaucoup, peu and bien.

• Sophie travaille beaucoup. (Sophie works much.)
• Sandrine travaille le plus. (Sandrine works the most,)
• Faites pour le mieux. (Give your best!)