Level 73 - Adverbs

An adverb describes how a verb is done. For example, in the sentence "I read quickly", the adverb is 'quickly'. In English nearly all adverbs are made up of an adjective and the letters 'ly'. Similarly in French to make an adverb we take an adjective (in its feminine form) and add -ment. For a list of French adjectives see Level 28. Adverbs can also describe adjectives (trop 'too') or can be used as 'linking words' (e.g. cependant 'however'). Here are some examples of adverbs:

Exceptions

Unfortunately there are a few exceptions to the rule. Adjectives ending in -é, -u and -i use the masculine form to make the adverb. The two main ones like this are absolument 'absolutely' and vraiment 'really'. And with adjectives ending in -ant or -ent to make the adverb we remove those endings and add -amment or -emment respectively. The most important ones of this type are apparemment 'apparently' and couramment 'fluently', as in parler couramment 'to speak fluently'. Note that lentement 'slowly' does not follow this special rule.

Other important adverbs

The French for 'good' is bon but the adverb 'well' is translated as bien. Bad is mauvais but 'badly' is mal. The following section contains examples of these two adverbs as well as other important ones: