Language/French/Grammar/Formation-and-Use-of-Adverbs

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◀️ Comparative and Superlative Adjectives — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Negation ▶️

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French Grammar → Adjectives and Adverbs → Formation and Use of Adverbs

Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. In French, adverbs can be formed in multiple ways and serve different purposes.


Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: Colour adjective compounds & Differences in the use of numbers in French and English once twice.

Formation of Adverbs

Adverbs can be formed by adding specific endings to adjectives. Here are some of the most common endings used to form adverbs:

  • "-ment": This ending is added to the feminine form of the adjective, minus the final "-e". For example:
French Pronunciation English
rapide ra.pid fast
rapidement ra.pi.da.mɑ̃ quickly
  • "-ément": This ending is added to adjectives ending in "-ent". For example:
French Pronunciation English
fréquent fre.kɑ̃ frequent
fréquemment fre.ke.mɑ̃ frequently
  • "-emment": This ending is added to adjectives ending in "-ant". For example:
French Pronunciation English
constant kɔ̃.stɑ̃ constant
constamment kɔ̃.stɑ̃.tə.mɑ̃ constantly

Use of Adverbs

Adverbs can be used to indicate the intensity, frequency, time or manner of an action or an event. Here are some common types of adverbs and their usage:

Adverbs of Intensity

These adverbs indicate the degree or intensity of an action or an event. Some of the most common adverbs of intensity end in "-ment":

  • très (very)
  • moins (less)
  • plus (more)
  • assez (enough)
  • bien (well)

For example:

  • Il parle très vite. (He speaks very fast.)
  • Nous sommes moins fatigués aujourd'hui. (We are less tired today.)
  • Elle travaille plus lentement que moi. (She works more slowly than me.)

Adverbs of Frequency

These adverbs indicate how often an action or an event occurs. Some of the most common adverbs of frequency are:

  • toujours (always)
  • souvent (often)
  • rarement (rarely)
  • jamais (never)

For example:

  • Nous voyageons souvent en France. (We often travel to France.)
  • Je ne mange jamais de viande rouge. (I never eat red meat.)

Adverbs of Time

These adverbs indicate the time or the duration of an action or an event. Some of the most common adverbs of time are:

  • maintenant (now)
  • hier (yesterday)
  • aujourd'hui (today)
  • demain (tomorrow)

For example:

  • Elle viendra demain matin. (She will come tomorrow morning.)
  • Nous avons visité le Louvre hier. (We visited the Louvre yesterday.)

Adverbs of Manner

These adverbs indicate the way or the manner in which an action or an event occurs. Some of the most common adverbs of manner are:

  • lentement (slowly)
  • rapidement (quickly)
  • soigneusement (carefully)
  • facilement (easily)

For example:

  • Il conduit lentement sur cette route. (He drives slowly on this road.)
  • Elle a fini son travail rapidement ce matin. (She finished her work quickly this morning.)

Practice

  • Form adverbs from the following adjectives using the appropriate adverb endings provided in the table:
    • grand (ment)
    • poli (ment)
    • constant (emment)
    • prudent (ment)
French Pronunciation English
grand grɑ̃ big grandement grɑ̃.də.mɑ̃ greatly
poli pɔ.li polite poliment pɔ.li.mɑ̃ politely
constant kɔ̃.stɑ̃ constant constamment kɔ̃.stɑ̃.tə.mɑ̃ constantly
prudent pʁy.dɑ̃ cautious prudemment pʁy.də.mɑ̃ cautiously
  • Translate the following sentences, paying attention to the use of adverbs:
    • Ils parlent couramment espagnol.
    • Je lis souvent avant de dormir.
    • Elle chante très bien.
    • Nous allons bientôt partir en vacances.

Sources

Table of Contents - French Course - 0 to A1


Alphabet and Pronunciation


Nouns and Articles


Verbs and Tenses


Adjectives and Adverbs


Negation and Interrogation


Numbers and Time


Family and Relationships


Food and Drink


Hobbies and Interests


Geography and Travel


French Culture and Arts


French History and Society

Other Lessons


◀️ Comparative and Superlative Adjectives — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Negation ▶️

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