Tag Archives: Adverbs

Adverbs in French language (A2)

Adverbs in French language

Adverbs ending with “-ment” in French language

 

Adverbs are used to give a precision on the action that is performed. They usually answer the question “how?” and are placed behind the verb.

Example:

  • Il parle lentement.
  • Elle travaille efficacement.
  • Nous étudions régulièrement.

Adverbs are invariable, i.e. their spelling does not change.

 

How to form an adverb?

Take the adjective in the masculine form (doux), put it in the feminine form (douce) then add “-ment” . That’s it! 🙂

  • Doux —> Douce —> Doucement : Ils jouent doucement avec le chien.
  • Franc —> Franche —> Franchement : Je peux te parler franchement?
  • Naturel —> Naturelle —> Naturellement : Elle a réagi naturellement.
  • Fou —> Folle —> Follement : Ils sont follement amoureux.

 

Of course, as you can imagine, there are different types of adverbs which do not comply with this rule

1. Some adverbs are formed from the masculine of the adjective; this adjective is ended by a vowel:

  • Passionné + ment —> Passionnément (avec passion)
  • Spontané + ment —> Spontanément (de manière spontanée)
  • Poli + ment —> Poliment (de manière polie)
  • Vrai + ment —> Vraiment 

2. Other adverbs end with -amment or -emment when the adjective ends with -ant or -ent.

  • Bruyant —> Bruyamment : Il mange bruyamment.
  • Méchant —> Méchamment : Il lui a répondu méchamment.
  • Intelligent —> Intelligemment : Il suffit de travailler intelligemment.
  • Patient —> Patiemment : Il a attendu patiemment.

 

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Adverbs in French language

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