Plus: The French Word That Means More Than Just “More“314

The French word "plus" is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of ways. It can mean "more" in the sense of quantity, but it can also be used to mean "in addition to" or "as well as." Plus, it can be used as an intensifier to add emphasis to a statement.

In this article, we'll explore the different ways that plus can be used in French. We'll also provide some examples of how it's used in everyday conversation.

Plus as a Quantifier

The most common way to use plus is as a quantifier, meaning "more." For example:
J'ai plus de dix ans. (I am more than ten years old.)
Il y a plus de cent personnes dans la salle. (There are more than a hundred people in the room.)
Je veux plus de gâteau. (I want more cake.)

Plus can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. When used with countable nouns, it must be followed by de. For example:
J'ai plus de dix livres. (I have more than ten books.)
Il y a plus de cent étudiants dans la classe. (There are more than a hundred students in the class.)

When used with uncountable nouns, plus is not followed by de. For example:
J'ai plus d'argent. (I have more money.)
Il y a plus de bruit. (There is more noise.)

Plus as an Addition

Plus can also be used to mean "in addition to" or "as well as." For example:
J'ai acheté un livre plus un DVD. (I bought a book and a DVD.)
Je parle français plus anglais. (I speak French and English.)
Je vais au cinéma plus au théâtre. (I go to the movies and to the theater.)

In these examples, plus is used to connect two or more things that are being added together. It can be used with both nouns and verbs.

Plus as an Intensifier

Finally, plus can be used as an intensifier to add emphasis to a statement. For example:
C'est plus que beau. (It is more than beautiful.)
Il est plus que intelligent. (He is more than intelligent.)
Je suis plus que content. (I am more than happy.)

In these examples, plus is used to emphasize the positive quality of the noun or adjective that it is modifying.

Conclusion

Plus is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of ways in French. It can mean "more" in the sense of quantity, but it can also be used to mean "in addition to" or "as well as." Plus, it can be used as an intensifier to add emphasis to a statement.

By understanding the different ways that plus can be used, you'll be able to use it more effectively in your own French writing and speaking.

2024-11-08

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