The French word "plus" corresponds to the English word "more" and is one of the most frequently used adverbs in the French language. As an essential component of comparative constructions, "plus" allows speakers to express degrees of comparison, quantity, and addition.
Definition: "Plus" primarily means "more" in English, but it can also mean "most" (in superlative constructions), "plus" (in mathematical contexts), and "no longer" (when used with "ne").
FAQ Schema Q: What does "more" mean in French? A: "More" in French is "plus" (pronounced approximately as "plew" with a silent 's' in most contexts, though the 's' is pronounced in certain mathematical or emphatic uses).
How this topic word will be used: In this lesson, you'll encounter "plus" in various contexts - from simple comparisons ("more beautiful") to complex grammatical structures ("no more/no longer"). The examples progress from basic usage to more sophisticated applications, helping you master this versatile word.
Educational Schema -
Subject: French Language Learning -
Level: Beginner to Intermediate -
Topic: Comparative and Quantitative Expressions -
Focus Word: plus (more) -
Language of Instruction: English -
Target Audience: English-speaking autodidacts
Key Takeaways: -
"Plus" is the standard French translation for "more" -
The final 's' is usually silent except in specific contexts -
"Plus" combines with adjectives to form comparatives -
With "ne", it means "no longer" or "no more" -
It functions both as an adverb and in mathematical expressions
83.1 Elle she veut wants plus more de of chocolat chocolate
83.2 Cette this maison house est is plus more grande big que than la the mienne mine
83.3 Il he ne not travaille works plus anymore ici here
83.4 J' I ai have besoin need de of plus more de of temps time
83.5 Plus more tu you étudies study, plus more tu you apprends learn
83.6 Le the café coffee devient becomes de PREP plus more en in plus more cher expensive
83.7 Nous we voulons want quelque some chose thing de of plus more simple simple
83.8 Marie Marie court runs plus more vite fast que than son her frère brother
83.9 Trois three plus plus quatre four égale equals sept seven
83.10 Il he n' not y there a has plus more de of pain bread
83.11 Le the film film était was plus more intéressant interesting que than prévu expected
83.12 Donnez give -moi me un one peu little plus more s'il if-he vous you plaît pleases
83.13 C' it est is le the plus most beau beautiful jour day de of ma my vie life
83.14 Elle she ne not peut can plus anymore attendre wait
83.15 Plus more tard late, nous we irons will-go au to-the cinéma cinema
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83.1 Elle veut plus de chocolat. She wants more chocolate.
83.2 Cette maison est plus grande que la mienne. This house is bigger than mine.
83.3 Il ne travaille plus ici. He doesn't work here anymore.
83.4 J'ai besoin de plus de temps. I need more time.
83.5 Plus tu étudies, plus tu apprends. The more you study, the more you learn.
83.6 Le café devient de plus en plus cher. Coffee is becoming more and more expensive.
83.7 Nous voulons quelque chose de plus simple. We want something simpler.
83.8 Marie court plus vite que son frère. Marie runs faster than her brother.
83.9 Trois plus quatre égale sept. Three plus four equals seven.
83.10 Il n'y a plus de pain. There's no more bread.
83.11 Le film était plus intéressant que prévu. The film was more interesting than expected.
83.12 Donnez-moi un peu plus s'il vous plaît. Give me a little more please.
83.13 C'est le plus beau jour de ma vie. It's the most beautiful day of my life.
83.14 Elle ne peut plus attendre. She can't wait any longer.
83.15 Plus tard, nous irons au cinéma. Later, we'll go to the cinema.
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83.1 Elle veut plus de chocolat.
83.2 Cette maison est plus grande que la mienne.
83.3 Il ne travaille plus ici.
83.4 J'ai besoin de plus de temps.
83.5 Plus tu étudies, plus tu apprends.
83.6 Le café devient de plus en plus cher.
83.7 Nous voulons quelque chose de plus simple.
83.8 Marie court plus vite que son frère.
83.9 Trois plus quatre égale sept.
83.10 Il n'y a plus de pain.
83.11 Le film était plus intéressant que prévu.
83.12 Donnez-moi un peu plus s'il vous plaît.
83.13 C'est le plus beau jour de ma vie.
83.14 Elle ne peut plus attendre.
83.15 Plus tard, nous irons au cinéma.
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The word "plus" serves multiple grammatical functions in French, each with specific rules and patterns that English speakers must master.
1. Comparative Forms When forming comparatives, "plus" combines with adjectives and adverbs: -
plus + adjective/adverb + que = more ... than -
Example: plus grand que (bigger than/more big than)
2. Pronunciation Rules The final 's' in "plus": -
Silent in most contexts: plus grand (plew grahn) -
Pronounced in mathematical contexts: deux plus deux (duh plews duh) -
Pronounced when emphatic or standing alone: Plus! (plews!)
3. Negative Construction With "ne", "plus" means "no longer/no more": -
ne ... plus = no longer/not anymore -
Example: Je ne fume plus (I don't smoke anymore)
4. Superlative Construction "Plus" with definite article forms superlatives: -
le/la/les plus + adjective = the most ... -
Example: le plus intelligent (the most intelligent)
Common Mistakes -
Forgetting "de" after "plus" -
Wrong: J'ai besoin plus temps -
Correct: J'ai besoin de plus de temps -
Incorrect word order in comparisons -
Wrong: Plus que grand cette maison est -
Correct: Cette maison est plus grande que... -
Pronouncing the 's' when it should be silent -
Say "plew" not "plews" in: Il est plus fort -
Using "more" structure from English -
Wrong: Marie est more intelligente -
Correct: Marie est plus intelligente
Step-by-Step Guide to Using "plus"
Step 1: Identify the context (comparison, negation, or quantity) Step 2: For comparisons, use: plus + adjective/adverb (+ que) Step 3: For negations, place "ne" before the verb and "plus" after Step 4: For quantities, add "de" after "plus" Step 5: Check pronunciation based on context
Comparison with English
English uses different words for different contexts: -
"more" for comparisons -
"most" for superlatives -
"anymore/any longer" for negatives -
"plus" for mathematics
French uses "plus" for all these contexts, which can be confusing for English speakers.
Grammatical Summary
Forms of "plus": -
Comparative: plus + adjective/adverb (+ que) -
Superlative: le/la/les plus + adjective -
Negative: ne + verb + plus -
Quantitative: plus de + noun -
Mathematical: nombre + plus + nombre -
Progressive: de plus en plus + adjective -
Correlative: plus ... plus ... (the more ... the more ...)
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Understanding "plus" goes beyond grammar—it reflects French cultural attitudes toward comparison and expression. French speakers tend to be more nuanced in their comparisons than English speakers, often softening statements with expressions like "un peu plus" (a little more) rather than absolute comparisons.
The expression "ne ... plus" is particularly important in French culture, as it allows for polite refusals and gentle ways of indicating change. For instance, "Je ne bois plus" (I don't drink anymore) is a common way to indicate a lifestyle change without going into detail.
In French mathematical education, children learn to pronounce the 's' in "plus" when doing arithmetic, creating a clear distinction between mathematical and general usage that doesn't exist in English.
The phrase "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose" (The more things change, the more they stay the same) is a famous French proverb that demonstrates the correlative use of "plus" and reflects a certain French philosophical outlook on life and change.
French speakers also use "plus ou moins" (more or less) frequently in conversation as a way of being approximate rather than definitive, reflecting a cultural preference for nuance over absolute statements.
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From Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's "Le Petit Prince" (1943):
"Les grandes personnes aiment les chiffres. Quand vous leur parlez d'un nouvel ami, elles ne vous questionnent jamais sur l'essentiel. Elles ne vous disent jamais: 'Quel est le son de sa voix? Quels sont les jeux qu'il préfère? Est-ce qu'il collectionne les papillons?' Elles vous demandent: 'Quel âge a-t-il? Combien pèse-t-il? Combien gagne son père?' Alors seulement elles croient le connaître. Si vous dites aux grandes personnes: 'J'ai vu une belle maison,' elles ne parviennent pas à s'imaginer cette maison. Il faut leur dire: 'J'ai vu une maison qui vaut cent mille francs.' Alors elles s'écrient: 'Comme c'est joli!' De même, si vous leur dites: 'La preuve que le petit prince a existé c'est qu'il était ravissant,' elles hausseront les épaules. Mais si vous leur dites: 'Il venait de l'astéroïde B 612,' alors elles seront convaincues. Elles sont comme ça. Il ne faut pas leur en vouloir. Les enfants doivent être très indulgents envers les grandes personnes. Mais nous qui comprenons la vie, nous nous moquons bien des numéros! J'aurais aimé commencer cette histoire comme un conte de fées. J'aurais aimé dire: 'Il était une fois un petit prince qui habitait une planète à peine plus grande que lui.'"
Il he habitait lived-on une a planète planet à at peine barely plus more grande big que than lui him
"He lived on a planet barely bigger than himself."
"Il habitait une planète à peine plus grande que lui."
This excerpt beautifully demonstrates the comparative use of "plus" with the construction "plus + adjective + que". The phrase "à peine plus grande" (barely bigger) shows how "plus" can be modified by adverbs like "à peine" (barely/scarcely). Note how French uses "grande" (feminine) to agree with "planète" (feminine), while English "bigger" has no gender agreement. The comparison "que lui" (than him/than himself) shows the standard comparative structure in French.
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83.16 Le the nouveau new restaurant restaurant italien Italian est is plus more authentique authentic que than les the autres others du of-the quartier neighborhood
83.17 Les the portions portions sont are généreuses generous et and nous we en of-it voulons want toujours always plus more
83.18 Cette this pizzeria pizzeria ne not livre delivers plus anymore après after vingt-deux twenty-two heures hours
83.19 Plus more le the vin wine vieillit ages, plus more il it devient becomes savoureux flavorful
83.20 Le the chef chef ajoute adds plus more d' of épices spices que than nécessaire necessary
83.21 C' it est is le the plus most délicieux delicious dessert dessert que that j' I aie have jamais ever goûté tasted
83.22 Ils they servent serve des some plats dishes de of plus more en in plus more raffinés refined
83.23 Le the service service était was plus more rapide fast que than la the dernière last fois time
83.24 Nous we ne not pouvons can plus anymore réserver reserve sans without carte card de of crédit credit
83.25 Plus more on one attend waits, plus more on one a has faim hunger
83.26 Les the prix prices sont are un a peu little plus more élevés high le the weekend weekend
83.27 Il there faut must commander order plus more tôt early pour for éviter avoid l' the attente wait
83.28 Le the restaurant restaurant propose offers plus more de of choix choices végétariens vegetarian maintenant now
83.29 Plus more c' it est is cher expensive, plus more c' it est is bon good — du of-the moins least, en in théorie theory
83.30 La the terrasse terrace est is plus more agréable pleasant que than la the salle room intérieure interior
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83.16 Le nouveau restaurant italien est plus authentique que les autres du quartier. The new Italian restaurant is more authentic than the others in the neighborhood.
83.17 Les portions sont généreuses et nous en voulons toujours plus. The portions are generous and we always want more.
83.18 Cette pizzeria ne livre plus après vingt-deux heures. This pizzeria doesn't deliver anymore after 10 PM.
83.19 Plus le vin vieillit, plus il devient savoureux. The more the wine ages, the more flavorful it becomes.
83.20 Le chef ajoute plus d'épices que nécessaire. The chef adds more spices than necessary.
83.21 C'est le plus délicieux dessert que j'aie jamais goûté. It's the most delicious dessert I've ever tasted.
83.22 Ils servent des plats de plus en plus raffinés. They serve increasingly refined dishes.
83.23 Le service était plus rapide que la dernière fois. The service was faster than last time.
83.24 Nous ne pouvons plus réserver sans carte de crédit. We can no longer make reservations without a credit card.
83.25 Plus on attend, plus on a faim. The more we wait, the hungrier we get.
83.26 Les prix sont un peu plus élevés le weekend. The prices are a little higher on weekends.
83.27 Il faut commander plus tôt pour éviter l'attente. You need to order earlier to avoid the wait.
83.28 Le restaurant propose plus de choix végétariens maintenant. The restaurant offers more vegetarian options now.
83.29 Plus c'est cher, plus c'est bon — du moins, en théorie. The more expensive it is, the better it is — at least, in theory.
83.30 La terrasse est plus agréable que la salle intérieure. The terrace is more pleasant than the indoor dining room.
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83.16 Le nouveau restaurant italien est plus authentique que les autres du quartier.
83.17 Les portions sont généreuses et nous en voulons toujours plus.
83.18 Cette pizzeria ne livre plus après vingt-deux heures.
83.19 Plus le vin vieillit, plus il devient savoureux.
83.20 Le chef ajoute plus d'épices que nécessaire.
83.21 C'est le plus délicieux dessert que j'aie jamais goûté.
83.22 Ils servent des plats de plus en plus raffinés.
83.23 Le service était plus rapide que la dernière fois.
83.24 Nous ne pouvons plus réserver sans carte de crédit.
83.25 Plus on attend, plus on a faim.
83.26 Les prix sont un peu plus élevés le weekend.
83.27 Il faut commander plus tôt pour éviter l'attente.
83.28 Le restaurant propose plus de choix végétariens maintenant.
83.29 Plus c'est cher, plus c'est bon — du moins, en théorie.
83.30 La terrasse est plus agréable que la salle intérieure.
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1. Culinary Comparisons Restaurant reviews frequently use comparative structures: -
plus authentique que (more authentic than) -
plus savoureux que (more flavorful than) -
plus raffiné que (more refined than)
2. Progressive Intensification The structure "de plus en plus" is common in describing evolving restaurant quality: -
de plus en plus raffiné (increasingly refined) -
de plus en plus populaire (increasingly popular)
3. Correlative Structures in Food Contexts The "plus...plus" construction appears frequently: -
Plus le fromage vieillit, plus il est fort (The more cheese ages, the stronger it is) -
Plus c'est simple, plus c'est bon (The simpler it is, the better it is)
4. Quantitative Expressions Restaurant contexts often require quantity expressions: -
plus de choix (more choices) -
plus d'épices (more spices) -
un peu plus de sel (a little more salt)
Common Restaurant Review Vocabulary with "plus" -
ne plus servir (to no longer serve) -
plus tard dans la soirée (later in the evening) -
plus de tables disponibles (more tables available) -
plus cher que prévu (more expensive than expected)
Stylistic Notes for Restaurant Reviews French restaurant reviews tend to use "plus" in sophisticated ways: -
Understatement: "un peu plus salé" (a little saltier) rather than "trop salé" (too salty) -
Diplomatic criticism: "pourrait être plus assaisonné" (could be more seasoned) -
Enthusiastic praise: "le plus exquis des desserts" (the most exquisite of desserts)
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These French language lessons are designed specifically for English-speaking autodidacts seeking to master French through a structured, self-paced approach. Drawing from the pedagogical methods developed at the Latinum Institute, these lessons employ the construed text method, where each word is glossed individually in the target language, allowing learners to build vocabulary and understand grammatical structures simultaneously.
The course curator, Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), has been creating innovative online language learning materials since 2006. His approach combines traditional philological methods with modern pedagogical insights, creating resources that are particularly effective for independent learners.
Each lesson in this series follows a consistent structure: -
Detailed interlinear translations that allow beginners to decode texts word by word -
Complete sentences in natural French with idiomatic English translations -
Pure French text for reading practice -
Comprehensive grammar explanations tailored for English speakers -
Cultural context to deepen understanding -
Authentic literary excerpts with detailed analysis -
Genre-specific sections for practical application
The Latinum Institute has received excellent reviews from learners worldwide, as evidenced by testimonials at https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk. The institute offers additional audio materials and resources for various ancient and modern languages through Patreon at patreon.com/latinum for subscribers seeking enhanced learning experiences.
This particular lesson on "plus" (more) demonstrates the method's effectiveness in teaching complex grammatical concepts through repeated exposure in varied contexts. By presenting the same word in different situations—from simple comparisons to restaurant reviews—learners internalize not just the meaning but the full range of usage.
For a complete index of all available courses and languages offered by the Latinum Institute, please visit https://latinum.substack.com/p/index. The comprehensive collection includes materials for Latin, Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew, and various modern languages, all following similar pedagogical principles designed to empower autodidactic learning.
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