Exam 2 - Formation of adverbs

Question 1

What are the steps to forming an adverb when the adjective has a masculine singular form ending in a consonant (e.g., “doux” or “franc”)?

Answer 1

Form the feminine adjective form, then add “-ment” to the end.

Example:
- doux –> douce –> doucement
- franc –> franche –> franchement

Question 2

What are the steps to forming an adverb when the adjective ends in “ant” or “ent?”

What is the one exception to this rule?

Answer 2

Replace the ending with “-amment” or “-emment.”

Example:
- bruyant –> bruyamment
- évident –> évidemment

The one exception is “lent,” whose adjective form is “lentement.”

Question 3

Which adverbs are formed by adding “-ément” to the masculine singular form of the adjective?

Answer 3

confus –> confusément
énorme –> énormément
précis –> précisément
profond –> profondément

Question 4

Which adverbs are completely irregular?

Answer 4

• bien (derived from “bon”)
• gentiment (derived from “gentil”)
• mal (derived from “mauvais”)
• mieux (derived from “meilleur”)