French Superlatives: The Best Ever (Superlative + Subjunctive)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the subjunctive after a superlative (le plus, le moins) when you are expressing a subjective opinion or personal judgment.
- Use subjunctive if the superlative expresses a subjective opinion: C'est le plus beau film que j'aie jamais vu.
- Use indicative if the superlative expresses an objective, verifiable fact: C'est le plus grand pays qui existe.
- Always use the subjunctive after 'le seul', 'l'unique', or 'le premier' when followed by a relative clause.
Overview
French often employs specific grammatical moods to convey subtle nuances of meaning, particularly regarding the speaker's perspective. When expressing superlatives—statements identifying something as "the best," "the worst," or "the only"—French frequently shifts from the indicative mood (for facts) to the subjunctive mood. This isn't merely a stylistic choice but a fundamental linguistic principle that highlights subjectivity and personal evaluation.
For B1 learners, mastering this distinction significantly refines your expression, allowing you to articulate personal assessments with precision. The French language, known for its emphasis on exactitude and emotional depth, uses the subjunctive here to clearly mark that a statement is filtered through individual experience or judgment, rather than presented as an objective, universally accepted truth. This grammatical mechanism adds depth to your statements, reflecting the speaker's emotional or intellectual investment in the claim.
The subjunctive in this context signals that the superlative claim is rooted in the speaker's opinion, judgment, or emotion, rather than an objective, universally accepted truth. For example, saying C'est le meilleur livre que j'aie lu (It's the best book I have read) implies your personal assessment and preference for the book. Conversely, if you were to incorrectly use the indicative (C'est le meilleur livre que j'ai lu), it might sound as if you are presenting an uncontroversial fact, which may not be your intended nuance.
This subtle but crucial difference enhances your ability to communicate personal assessments with precision and aligns with the French language's inherent elegance in conveying nuanced meaning. It reflects a core linguistic principle where the mood of the verb indicates the speaker's attitude towards the reality of the action.
How This Grammar Works
que (that) or qui (who/which). This specific construction, Superlative + que/qui + Verb, is the trigger. Within this structure, the action described by the verb in the relative clause is inherently filtered through the subjective lens of the superlative statement.- Standard Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs: These include constructions like
le plus(the most),la plus(the most),les plus(the most),le moins(the least),la moins(the least),les moins(the least). They establish a comparison that often necessitates subjective interpretation. - Irregular Superlative Adjectives: Specifically
le meilleur(the best),la meilleure(the best),les meilleurs(the best), andle pire(the worst),la pire(the worst),les pires(the worst). These adjectives inherently convey a judgment of quality. - Restrictive or Exclusive Expressions: Phrases such as
le seul(the only),l'unique(the unique),le premier(the first), andle dernier(the last). These terms by their nature limit the scope to a single entity, and when followed by a relative clause, they often emphasize the speaker's subjective focus on that singularity or order, demanding the subjunctive.
Le Mont Blanc est la plus haute montagne d'Europe. (Mount Blanc is the highest mountain in Europe.) This is a verifiable geographical fact, requiring no subjunctive mood in the absence of a relative clause expressing opinion. However, if you say, C'est la plus belle montagne que j'aie jamais vue. (It's the most beautiful mountain I have ever seen.)—here, the adjective belle explicitly introduces a subjective judgment of aesthetics. Consequently, the relative clause (que j'aie jamais vue) depends on your personal experience and perception of its beauty, mandating the subjunctive form aie vue.Formation Pattern
[Subject of main clause] + [Main Verb (often 'être')] + [Definite Article: le/la/les] + [Superlative Adverb/Adjective: plus/moins/meilleur/pire] + [Noun/Adjective (optional)] + [Relative Pronoun: que/qui] + [Subject of subordinate clause] + [Subjunctive Verb]
le plus, le moins, le meilleur, le pire, le seul, l'unique, le premier, or le dernier.
que when the relative pronoun functions as the direct object of the verb in the following subordinate clause, meaning the subject of the clause is distinct from the noun modified by the superlative (e.g., la chanson que j'écoute – I listen to the song).
qui when the relative pronoun functions as the subject of the verb in the following subordinate clause, meaning the noun modified by the superlative is performing the action of the verb (e.g., le professeur qui nous enseigne – the professor teaches us).
ils/elles form of the present indicative (e.g., parler -> ils parlent -> stem parl-), then add the subjunctive endings: -e (je), -es (tu), -e (il/elle/on), -ions (nous), -iez (vous), -ent (ils/elles). Many common verbs, however, possess irregular subjunctive stems.
être | sois | sois | soit | soyons | soyez | soient |
avoir | aie | aies | ait | ayons | ayez | aient |
faire | fasse | fasses | fasse | fassions | fassiez | fassent |
aller | aille | ailles | aille | allions | alliez | aillent |
pouvoir | puisse | puisses | puisse | puissions | puissiez | puissent |
savoir | sache | saches | sache | sachions | sachiez | sachent |
vouloir | veuille | veuilles | veuille | voulions | vouliez | veuillent |
venir | vienne | viennes | vienne | venions | veniez | viennent |
tenir | tienne | tiennes | tienne | tenions | teniez | tiennent |
C'est le meilleur restaurant que tu connaisses. (It's the best restaurant that you know.)
le meilleur restaurant (adjective meilleur makes it superlative).
que (because tu is the subject of connaître, and restaurant is the direct object: you know the restaurant).
connaître for tu becomes que tu connaisses.
passé composé or plus-que-parfait) is formed with avoir in the subjunctive, the past participle must agree in gender and number with a preceding direct object. For instance, in C'est la plus belle photo que j'aie prise, prise (feminine singular) agrees with photo (feminine singular, which is the direct object of j'aie prise). If the compound tense uses être, the past participle agrees with the subject of the verb.
When To Use It
- Expressing Personal Opinions and Evaluations: When you assert something as "the best" or "the worst" based on your individual taste, critical faculty, or unique experience. The subjunctive clarifies that this is your take.
C'est la chose la plus difficile que j'aie jamais apprise.(It's the most difficult thing I have ever learned.) - Your personal struggle, a subjective measure of difficulty.Elle est la plus gentille personne que je connaisse.(She is the kindest person I know.) - Your personal assessment of her character, which might differ for others.Ce film est le pire que nous ayons vu cette année.(This film is the worst we've seen this year.) - A collective, yet subjective, cinematic judgment.
- Highlighting Uniqueness or Exclusivity (Subjectively): With terms like
le seul(the only),l'unique(the unique),le premier(the first),le dernier(the last), when their "uniqueness" is framed by your perspective, limited knowledge, or emotional attachment to that singularity. Tu es le seul ami qui me comprenne vraiment.(You are the only friend who truly understands me.) - This expresses a deep, subjective feeling of being understood, rather than a quantifiable fact about the number of friends.C'est le premier livre que je lise de cet auteur.(It's the first book I'm reading from this author.) - This emphasizes your personal experience as a reader, marking it as a unique 'first' in your journey.
- Emotional or Affective Contexts: When the superlative carries a strong emotional charge or signifies a deeply felt experience from the speaker.
C'est le voyage le plus incroyable que nous ayons fait ensemble.(It's the most incredible trip we've ever taken together.) - Reflects a shared, emotionally heightened experience, not a measurable metric of 'incredibility.'
L'Everest est la plus haute montagne du monde. (Everest is the highest mountain in the world.) is a direct factual statement, requiring no subjunctive.que je connaisse (that I know) after an objective superlative, the nuance shifts slightly. While still factual knowledge, the inclusion of que je connaisse frames it within your personal scope of knowledge. In such ambiguous cases, French speakers often opt for the subjunctive (que je connaisse) to imbue the statement with a sense of personal involvement or to simply be grammatically safe.que/qui is the most natural and accurate approach for conveying personal views.Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the Subjunctive Entirely: This is the most prevalent error. Learners often default to the indicative mood due to its ubiquity, overlooking the subtle yet crucial shift required by the superlative construction. While native speakers will often understand the meaning, the absence of the subjunctive can make your French sound less natural, more declarative, and lacking the intended nuance of personal judgment.
- Incorrect:
C'est le meilleur film que j'ai vu.(Uses indicativeai vu) - Correct:
C'est le meilleur film que j'aie vu.(Uses subjunctiveaie vu) - This marks it as a personal opinion.
- Incorrect Subjunctive Forms: Struggling with the conjugations of irregular subjunctive verbs or mistakenly applying indicative endings to subjunctive stems is another frequent issue. Mastering the core irregular verbs presented in the formation section is paramount. Incorrect forms signal a lack of command over advanced grammatical structures.
- Incorrect:
C'est la seule personne qui sachent la vérité.(Incorrectilsendingsachentfor a singular subjectqui) - Correct:
C'est la seule personne qui sache la vérité.(Subjunctiveil/elleform forsavoir)
- Misapplication to Simple Superlatives: A common mistake involves using the subjunctive when there is no subsequent relative clause (
que/qui) or when the statement is purely descriptive without an action to subjectivize. The subjunctive is only triggered when the superlative acts upon a verb in a subordinate clause. - Incorrect:
Il est le plus grand que soit ici.(No relative clause with an explicit action implied aftergrand) - Correct:
Il est le plus grand ici.(Simply descriptive, no subjunctive needed). - Correct (with appropriate subjunctive context):
Il est le plus grand homme que je connaisse.(Superlative + relative clause expressing personal knowledge/opinion).
- Agreement Errors with Past Participles: Particularly problematic in compound tenses (e.g.,
passé composé,plus-que-parfait) formed withavoirin the subjunctive. The rule of agreement with the preceding direct object remains active. Failing to apply this agreement reflects an incomplete understanding of French participle rules. - Incorrect:
C'est la plus belle chose que j'aie vu.(No agreement ofvuwithchose, the preceding direct object) - Correct:
C'est la plus belle chose que j'aie vue.(vueagrees withchose, feminine singular direct object).
- Confusing
queandquias Relative Pronouns: Incorrectly usingquewhen the relative pronoun functions as the subject of the clause, orquiwhen it acts as the direct object. This fundamental error disrupts sentence structure and meaning. - Incorrect:
C'est le seul document que contienne l'information.(The document is the subject ofcontenir, soquiis needed). - Correct:
C'est le seul document qui contienne l'information.(Here,quiis the subject, referring tole seul document).
Real Conversations
Understanding how this grammatical rule translates into everyday French usage is paramount for sounding authentic and communicating effectively. Native speakers seamlessly integrate the superlative + subjunctive in a diverse array of contexts, ranging from informal textual exchanges to more considered spoken and written statements. This flexibility demonstrates the rule's integral role in conveying nuanced personal perspective.
- Informal Communication (Texting/Social Media): In casual digital communication, the subjunctive is used to convey strong, personal, and often immediate reactions or opinions. Even in truncated forms, its presence marks a subjective stance.
- C'est le meilleur resto que j'aie fait ! 😋 Tu devrais y aller. (It's the best restaurant I've been to! You should go there.) - Expresses a strong personal recommendation and enthusiasm.
- T'es le seul qui me comprenne. ❤️ Tellement merci. (You're the only one who understands me. Thanks so much.) - Conveys deep personal emotion and connection, emphasizing a unique bond.
- La pire série que j'aie jamais regardée. 🤦♀️ J'ai perdu mon temps. (The worst series I've ever watched. I wasted my time.) - A strong negative opinion and emotional regret.
- Casual Spoken French: In everyday conversations, the superlative + subjunctive is a natural way to share experiences, preferences, and judgments with friends and acquaintances.
- C'est la plus belle ville que nous ayons visitée en France jusqu'à présent. (It's the most beautiful city we've visited in France so far.) - Shares a personal travel highlight, emphasizing a subjective aesthetic preference.
- À mon avis, il est le plus grand joueur que cette équipe ait jamais eu. (In my opinion, he is the greatest player this team has ever had.) - A subjective assessment of skill over time, explicitly prefaced by à mon avis (in my opinion) reinforcing the subjunctive's role.
- C'est la chose la plus folle que tu aies dite de toute la journée ! (That's the craziest thing you've said all day!) - A direct, emotionally charged reaction to a statement, highlighting its subjective 'craziness.'
- Slightly More Formal Contexts (Emails, Professional Recommendations): Even in more structured communication, when personal judgment is appropriate, the subjunctive after superlatives is correctly deployed. It allows for authoritative yet subjective statements.
- C'est la ressource la plus fiable que je puisse vous recommander pour ce sujet. (It's the most reliable resource I can recommend to you for this topic.) - A professional, yet subjective, endorsement based on personal experience and evaluation.
- Votre proposition est la plus intéressante que nous ayons reçue jusqu'à présent pour ce projet. (Your proposal is the most interesting one we have received so far for this project.) - Expressing a comparative, but still subjective, preference based on an internal assessment.
Notice that in all these examples, whether informal or more formal, the speaker is imparting a personal judgment, a feeling, or an evaluation. The subjunctive mood provides that essential layer of subjectivity, clearly differentiating these statements from purely factual declarations. The ability to correctly apply this structure adds a nuanced, sophisticated dimension to your French communication, allowing you to express complex opinions and emotions with authentic French flair.
Quick FAQ
- Q: Do I always have to use the subjunctive after a superlative?
- A: Not always, but nearly always when a relative clause (
que/qui) follows, and the superlative expresses a subjective opinion, evaluation, or a unique quality from the speaker's perspective. If the superlative is a universally accepted, objective fact without personal interpretation (e.g.,L'Himalaya est la plus haute chaîne de montagnes du monde.- Himalaya is the highest mountain range in the world), the indicative may be used, and often no relative clause is even needed. However, for B1 learners, employing the subjunctive in these contexts is a reliable and safe choice to consistently convey personal judgment and ensure grammatical accuracy.
- Q: Does this rule apply to
le premier(the first) andle dernier(the last)? - A: Yes, absolutely. These terms inherently imply uniqueness or order, and when they introduce a subjective or unique perspective within a relative clause, the subjunctive is required. For example:
C'est le dernier train qu'il faille prendre.(It's the last train one must take – implying necessity, a form of subjective judgment). OrElle est la première étudiante qui ait compris la théorie si vite.(She is the first student who has understood the theory so quickly – emphasizing her unique achievement from the speaker's perspective and a subjective assessment of 'quickly').
- Q: How can I definitively tell if a superlative is "objective" or "subjective"?
- A: A practical test is to ask yourself: Is this a matter of personal taste, feeling, evaluation, or preference? Is there reasonable room for disagreement among different people? If your answer is yes, it's subjective, and the subjunctive is appropriate. If it's a verifiable, measurable fact (e.g., geographical, historical, scientific) that almost everyone would agree on without personal interpretation, it leans objective. In conversational French, most superlatives involve some degree of personal judgment, so when in doubt, the subjunctive is generally the more natural and expected choice. Consider the nuance you wish to convey.
- Q: What should I do if I don't know the subjunctive form of a particular verb?
- A: It's a common challenge, as some subjunctive forms are irregular. Prioritize memorizing the subjunctive forms of the most frequent irregular verbs (
être,avoir,faire,aller,pouvoir,savoir,vouloir,venir,tenir), as these will cover a significant portion of your usage. For regular verbs, remember the consistent formation rule. If you're genuinely unsure in a live conversation, you might try to rephrase your sentence to avoid the subjunctive temporarily, or use a simpler verb whose subjunctive form you know. While context can often allow for understanding even if the indicative is mistakenly used, consistently striving for the correct subjunctive elevates your fluency and demonstrates a higher command of the language.
- Q: Are there any subtleties with pronunciation, like liaisons, to be aware of in these constructions?
- A: Yes, proper French pronunciation, including liaisons and elisions, is always important for sounding natural. Pay attention to mandatory liaisons, especially after
les(e.g.,les‿autres) and with elision (e.g.,que j'aie). Whileque j'aieandque j'aisound identical in isolation, the correct spelling in written French is crucial for distinguishing them. Furthermore, in phrases likele plus important, there will be a liaison betweenplusandimportant(le plus‿important), where the 's' ofplusis pronounced as a 'z' sound. These phonetic details contribute significantly to fluent speech.
Subjunctive Conjugation of 'Avoir' (to have)
| Person | Subjunctive Form |
|---|---|
|
Je
|
aie
|
|
Tu
|
aies
|
|
Il/Elle/On
|
ait
|
|
Nous
|
ayons
|
|
Vous
|
ayez
|
|
Ils/Elles
|
aient
|
Meanings
This rule dictates that when a relative clause follows a superlative, the verb must be in the subjunctive mood if the speaker is expressing a subjective judgment or personal experience.
Subjective Superlative
Expressing a personal opinion about a superlative quality.
“C'est le plus beau livre que tu puisses lire.”
“C'est la pire chose qui puisse arriver.”
Exclusive Selection
Used after 'le seul' or 'l'unique' to emphasize exclusivity.
“Tu es le seul qui puisse m'aider.”
“C'est l'unique solution que nous ayons.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Superlative + que + Subjunctive
|
C'est le meilleur que j'aie vu.
|
|
Negative
|
Superlative + que + Subjunctive
|
Ce n'est pas le meilleur que j'aie vu.
|
|
Question
|
Superlative + que + Subjunctive
|
Est-ce le meilleur que tu aies vu?
|
|
Exclusivity
|
Le seul + qui + Subjunctive
|
C'est le seul qui puisse venir.
|
|
Agreement
|
Superlative + que + Subjunctive
|
C'est la meilleure chose que j'aie faite.
|
Formality Spectrum
C'est le meilleur repas que j'aie jamais pris. (Dining)
C'est le meilleur repas que j'aie mangé. (Dining)
C'est le meilleur repas que j'ai mangé. (Dining)
C'est le meilleur truc que j'ai bouffé. (Dining)
The Subjunctive Trigger Map
Triggers
- le plus the most
- le moins the least
- le seul the only
Mood
- Subjonctif Subjunctive
Examples by Level
C'est le meilleur film que j'aie vu.
It is the best movie I have seen.
C'est la plus belle ville que je connaisse.
It is the most beautiful city I know.
C'est le pire jour que j'aie passé.
It is the worst day I have spent.
C'est le seul ami que j'aie.
He is the only friend I have.
C'est le plus grand gâteau que tu puisses manger.
It is the biggest cake you can eat.
C'est la moins bonne idée que nous ayons eue.
It is the least good idea we have had.
C'est le seul livre que je veuille lire.
It is the only book I want to read.
C'est le plus beau cadeau qu'elle ait reçu.
It is the most beautiful gift she has received.
C'est le projet le plus difficile sur lequel j'aie travaillé.
It is the most difficult project I have worked on.
C'est la meilleure solution que nous puissions trouver.
It is the best solution we can find.
C'est l'unique personne qui puisse me comprendre.
She is the only person who can understand me.
C'est le plus beau voyage que nous ayons fait.
It is the most beautiful trip we have taken.
C'est le plus grand défi que j'aie jamais eu à relever.
It is the greatest challenge I have ever had to face.
C'est la moins mauvaise option que nous ayons à notre disposition.
It is the least bad option we have at our disposal.
C'est le seul candidat qui ait les compétences requises.
He is the only candidate who has the required skills.
C'est le plus bel hommage qu'on puisse lui rendre.
It is the most beautiful tribute one can pay him.
C'est le plus grand paradoxe que j'aie pu observer.
It is the greatest paradox I have been able to observe.
C'est la plus noble cause pour laquelle nous puissions lutter.
It is the most noble cause for which we can fight.
C'est le seul argument qui soit vraiment convaincant.
It is the only argument that is truly convincing.
C'est le plus grand honneur que j'aie jamais reçu.
It is the greatest honor I have ever received.
C'est le plus sublime poème que j'aie jamais lu.
It is the most sublime poem I have ever read.
C'est la seule interprétation qui soit historiquement exacte.
It is the only interpretation that is historically accurate.
C'est le plus grand mystère que l'humanité ait jamais connu.
It is the greatest mystery humanity has ever known.
C'est le seul remède qui puisse apaiser ses souffrances.
It is the only remedy that can soothe his suffering.
Easily Confused
Learners often use the subjunctive for all relative clauses.
Learners don't know when to use the indicative for superlatives.
Learners forget to agree the participle with the object.
Common Mistakes
C'est le meilleur que j'ai vu.
C'est le meilleur que j'aie vu.
C'est la plus belle que je connais.
C'est la plus belle que je connaisse.
C'est le seul qui est venu.
C'est le seul qui soit venu.
C'est le plus grand que j'ai mangé.
C'est le plus grand que j'aie mangé.
C'est le plus dur que tu as fait.
C'est le plus dur que tu aies fait.
C'est la meilleure chose que j'ai fait.
C'est la meilleure chose que j'aie faite.
C'est le plus beau que je vois.
C'est le plus beau que je voie.
C'est le plus grand pays qui existe.
C'est le plus grand pays qui existe.
C'est le seul qui peut m'aider.
C'est le seul qui puisse m'aider.
C'est le plus beau projet que j'ai eu.
C'est le plus beau projet que j'aie eu.
C'est le plus grand paradoxe que j'ai pu observer.
C'est le plus grand paradoxe que j'aie pu observer.
C'est la seule interprétation qui est exacte.
C'est la seule interprétation qui soit exacte.
C'est le plus grand honneur que j'ai reçu.
C'est le plus grand honneur que j'aie reçu.
Sentence Patterns
C'est le ___ que j'aie jamais ___.
C'est le seul qui ___ m'aider.
C'est la ___ chose que j'aie ___.
C'est le plus ___ défi que j'aie ___.
Real World Usage
C'est le meilleur resto que j'aie testé !
C'est le projet le plus stimulant que j'aie mené.
C'est la plus belle vue que je puisse imaginer.
C'est le seul qui puisse venir ce soir.
C'est la seule théorie qui soit valide.
C'est le meilleur burger que j'aie mangé.
Check for subjectivity
Don't over-apply
Memorize the 'Avoir' subjunctive
Listen to native speakers
Smart Tips
Pause and ask if it's an opinion.
Always use the subjunctive.
If it's an opinion, use the subjunctive.
Remember to agree the past participle.
Pronunciation
Subjunctive endings
The 'e' in 'aie' or 'puisse' is silent, but the vowel sound is clear.
Rising-Falling
C'est le meilleur... (rise) ...que j'aie vu (fall).
Emphasizes the superlative.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of the superlative as a 'Subjectivity Spotlight'—it shines on your opinion, and the subjunctive is the special costume your verb wears for that spotlight.
Visual Association
Imagine a stage. The 'Superlative' is the spotlight. When the spotlight hits a verb, it must change its outfit into the 'Subjunctive' costume.
Rhyme
When you say 'the best' or 'the least', the subjunctive is the feast!
Story
Marie is at a restaurant. She says, 'This is the best wine I have ever tasted.' Because she is sharing her opinion, the verb 'tasted' must be in the subjunctive. Her friend, who is a scientist, says, 'This is the most expensive wine that exists.' Because that is a fact, he uses the indicative.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about your favorite things (food, movie, city) using the 'C'est le/la plus... que...' structure.
Cultural Notes
In France, using the subjunctive correctly is seen as a sign of a good education.
Quebecois speakers often use the indicative in casual speech, but the subjunctive is still used in formal contexts.
The subjunctive is used similarly to standard French, with a focus on formal register.
The subjunctive mood in French descends from the Latin subjunctive, which was used to express doubt, desire, or subjectivity.
Conversation Starters
Quel est le meilleur film que tu aies jamais vu ?
Quelle est la seule chose que tu puisses faire pour aider ?
Quel est le plus beau voyage que tu aies fait ?
Quel est le plus grand défi que tu aies relevé ?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
C'est le meilleur livre que j'____ (avoir) lu.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
C'est le seul qui peut m'aider.
C'est le meilleur film que j'ai vu. (Change to subjunctive)
Do we use the subjunctive for objective facts?
A: Quel est le meilleur resto ? B: C'est le seul qui ____ (être) bon.
le plus / que / c'est / j'aie / beau / vu
C'est la meilleure chose que tu ____ (faire).
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesC'est le meilleur livre que j'____ (avoir) lu.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
C'est le seul qui peut m'aider.
C'est le meilleur film que j'ai vu. (Change to subjunctive)
Do we use the subjunctive for objective facts?
A: Quel est le meilleur resto ? B: C'est le seul qui ____ (être) bon.
le plus / que / c'est / j'aie / beau / vu
C'est la meilleure chose que tu ____ (faire).
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesC'est le pire film qui ___ jamais sorti !
Complimenting a friend's outfit:
seule / C'est / me / la / qui / comprenne / personne
It's the best pizza I've eaten.
C'est le plus grand homme que je connais.
Match the starts with the correct verb forms:
C'est l'unique ami qui ___ venir.
In a job interview:
Tu es le plus gentil que je sache.
plus / C'est / que / beau / j'aie / le / vu
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Because superlatives express a subjective judgment.
Yes, if they are subjective.
Use the indicative.
Yes, it's very common.
No, it's very similar.
Using the indicative.
It's used in all registers.
Yes, absolutely.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Superlativo + Subjuntivo
Spanish has more tenses in the subjunctive.
Konjunktiv I/II
German does not use the subjunctive for subjective superlatives.
N/A
Japanese uses particles and auxiliary verbs to express subjectivity.
Mansoub
The triggers are entirely different.
N/A
Chinese uses adverbs to express subjectivity.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
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Overview French, unlike English, often distinguishes between objective reality and subjective perception. When you expre...
French Opinions: Subjunctive vs. Indicative (Penser, Croire)
Overview In French, the choice between the indicative and subjunctive moods after verbs of opinion isn't arbitrary; it'...
Wishes & Commands: Independent Subjunctive (Que + subjonctif)
Overview French grammar typically presents the subjunctive mood as a dependent construction, invariably tethered to a ma...
