Dropping a repeated verb in a formal comparison
In French, when the verb in a comparison is the same as the main verb, it is usually omitted (ellipsis). This makes the sentence more concise. Depending on the register, you either use a simple disjunctive pronoun or a formal structure with 'ne' and 'le'.
How It Works
1. Standard Ellipsis (Universal Register)
In everyday French, we drop the repeated verb and use a disjunctive pronoun (moi, toi, lui, etc.) instead of a subject pronoun.
Example: Tu cours plus vite que moi. (You run faster than I [do]).
2. Formal Full Clause (Style Soutenu)
If you choose not to drop the verb in a formal context, you must use the ne explétif and the neutral pronoun le to represent the attribute being compared.
Example: Il est plus riche qu'il ne le paraît. (He is richer than he appears [to be]).
- The ne here is not negative; it is a stylistic marker of inequality.
- The le is mandatory to replace the adjective (riche).
3. 'Tightened' Literary Ellipsis
In high-level literature, ellipsis can be used to create very dense, elegant comparisons without any pronouns at all.
Example: Il est plus sage que de raison. (He is wiser than [is] reasonable).
4. Constraints
Ellipsis is common with plus... que and moins... que. However, the ne explétif is never used with aussi... que (equality).
Examples (5)
- Elle est moins patiente que son frère.
She is less patient than her brother.
Word by Word: She is less patient than her brother.
A standard ellipsis where the verb 'est' is omitted after 'frère' to avoid repetition.
- L'examen était plus difficile que nous ne l'avions imaginé.
The exam was more difficult than we had imagined.
Word by Word: The exam was more difficult than we [ne] it had imagined.
A formal full clause using the 'ne explétif' and the neutral 'l'' (le) because the verb 'imaginer' is expressed.
- Il se montra plus généreux que de coutume.
He proved more generous than usual.
Word by Word: He himself showed more generous than of custom.
A literary 'tightened' ellipsis where the verb and subject are entirely omitted for stylistic concision.
- Tu es bien plus courageux que moi.
You are much more courageous than I am.
Word by Word: You are well more courageous than me.
Standard usage: when the verb is dropped, the subject pronoun 'je' must become the disjunctive pronoun 'moi'.
- La situation est autre qu'on ne le croit.
The situation is different than what people think.
Word by Word: The situation is other than one [ne] it believes.
The 'ne explétif' is also used with 'autre que' (other than) in formal registers.
Common Mistakes
Using a subject pronoun alone after 'que' in an elliptical comparison.
Il est plus grand que je.Il est plus grand que moi.In French, you cannot end a comparison with a subject pronoun (je, tu, il). You must use a disjunctive pronoun (moi, toi, lui) if the verb is omitted.
Thinking the neutral 'le' is required.
Different MeaningIl est plus intelligent qu'il ne semble.Il est plus intelligent qu'il ne le semble.Both are correct: 'qu'il ne semble' and 'qu'il ne le semble'. The neutral 'le' stands for the adjective and sounds more formal; it is often left out after 'sembler' and 'paraître'.
Using 'ne explétif' in a comparison of equality.
Il est aussi grand qu'il ne le paraît.Il est aussi grand qu'il le paraît.The 'ne explétif' is only used for comparisons of inequality (plus, moins, autre). It is ungrammatical with 'aussi... que'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the ellipsis of a second verb in a comparison, you must first be comfortable with the basic comparative structures (plus/moins/aussi...que). You also need to know disjunctive pronouns, as these are used to represent the subject when the verb is removed, and have a firm grasp of basic verb conjugation to recognize what is being omitted.
- plus...queComparative of Superiority
The ellipsis occurs within the structure of a comparison, so the learner must first understand how to form basic comparisons using 'plus...que'.
Level 1 - moi / toi / lui / elle / nous / vous / eux / ellesStressed Pronouns Moi, Toi, Lui, Elle, Nous, Vous, Eux, Elles
When the second verb is dropped in a comparison, the subject of that omitted verb is typically replaced by a disjunctive (stressed) pronoun (e.g., 'plus rapide que moi').
Level 4
Related Patterns
- craindre que / avoir peur que + ne + SubjunctiveExpletive Ne After Fear Expressions
Another formal context where the non-negative 'ne' is used, similar to formal comparisons.
Level 5 - le (pronom neutre)Le Standing for a Whole Idea
The neutral 'le' is used in formal comparisons to represent the adjective or idea being compared.
Level 3 - Formal versus casual register contrast
Understanding the difference between the standard ellipsis and the formal full clause is a key aspect of register control.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice Dropping a repeated verb in a formal comparison in Bubblegum
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