Les adverbs

Question 1

What is the function of an adverb?

Answer 1

In French as in English, an adverb describes the action of a verb. It answers such questions as ‘where’, ‘when,’ ‘how,’ ‘how long,’ or ‘how often.’ Adverbs are invariable and may be used with almost all verbs.

An adverb may also qualify an adjective or another adverb.

Question 2

How are adverbs formed?

Answer 2

A large number of French adverbs are derived from adjectives.

They are usually formed by adding -ment to the feminine singular form of the adjective. Note the exception ‘gentiment’, which is derived from the adjective ‘gentil’ (nice).

Question 3

What are the exception to the usual formation of adverbs?

Answer 3

• ment is added to the masculine singular form of adjectives that end with a vowel.
• Add -emment to the stem of adjectives that end in -ent; add -amment to the stem of adjectives ending in -ant.

Question 4

Where are adverbs placed in a sentence?

Answer 4

• Adverbs are placed directly before the adjective or adverb that they modify.
• Adverbs are usually placed immediately after the conjugated verb. If the verb is negative, the adverb is placed after the negation.
• If an adverb is a comment on the entire sentence (malheureusement, en plus), it may be placed at the beginning or end of the sentence.

Question 5

Where are adverbs placed in sentences that are in the past tense?

Answer 5

The adverb in French usually follows the conjugated verb. Thus, in all compound tenses (i.e. tenses where an auxiliary is required, such as the passé composé), adverbs are placed right after the auxiliary and just before the past participle. However, some longer adverbs ending in -ment may follow the past participle. In a sentence in the periphrastic future (‘futur proche’), adverbs are placed right before the infinitive. If the conjugated verb is in the negative, the adverb follows the negation.

Question 6

Common adjectives vs common adverbs

Answer 6

Adjectives describe a noun and they are bon, mauvais, meilleures
Adverbs -describe a verb. Bien, mal, mieux

Question 7

What is the difference between attentivement and soigneusement?

Answer 7

Both mean with care
‘soigneusement’ - care over something tactile
‘attentivement’ - care over something intellectual

Question 8

What are some good adverbs to use?

Answer 8

doucement - softly 
visiblement - obviously 
profondément - deeply 
attentivement - carefully 
soigneusement - carefully

Question 9

What is gentille as an adverb?

Answer 9

Gentiment