"le" after comparatives

I have just found out that a "le" is needed after a comparative using "plus...que". Here are a few examples from my book:

L'opinion des consommaterus est plus divisée qu'elle ne l'était.

Consumer opinions is more divided than it was.

Cet article est plus polémique que je ne l'ai d'abord pensé.

This article is more controversial than I first though.

Le directeur a l'air sévère, mais il est plus gentil qu'il ne le paraît

The director seems strict, but he is nicer than he appears

I was actually looking about about the "ne", but you know how it is, one thing led to another...

My questions are:

1. Is the "le" obligatory?

2. Does it refer to the subject or the comparative clause? ie, does it agree if I refer to a feminine noun?

3. What about in comparison not using "plus", such as mieux ? For instance:

Paul se sent mieux que nous (ne) l'aurions cru possible.

Paul se sent mieux qu'on (n')aurait cru possible.

Many thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Chantal Savignat on January 6, 2013 at 7:34pm

Hello

1. Yes. The "le" or "l'" is obligatory.

2. it's what we call "un pronom neutre" (a neuter pronoun)

The neuter doesn't exist in french, all the words agree in gender and number except for some pronouns, and it is one of them. it never agree.

it doesn't refer only to a comparative clause.

it replace an undefined thing (a clause) :

or it replace "celà". sometimes it's evident, sonetimes no ...

il pleut, je le savais = il pleut, je savais celà.

Elle vient, je le sais = elle vient, je savais celà

Cet article est plus polémique que je ne l'ai d'abord pensé = cet article est plus polémique /alors que j'ai d'abord pensé qu'il était moins polémique (alors que j'ai déjà pensé celà.)

Paul se sent mieux que nous ne l'aurions cru possible.

Paul se sent mieux qu'on (n')aurait cru possible.

the 2 forms may be heard.

the first one is the right form in good french, you may read it in a book.

the second one may be heard in oral language (without the "possible", it's a little colloquial.

( in oral language, even with plus...que, "the "ne" or the "le" is often not pronounced.)