An adverb is a part of speech, and it is used to modify a verb (action word). It can also be used to modify an adjective, another adverb in the sentence, and even an entire clause or sentence. They help us say how, when, where, how long, or how often things are done.
There are different types of adverbs in French. You will see that forming many of them can be fairly easy by attaching ment to the end of different adjectives. Now, let's take a look at how to form adverbs.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to form adverbs in French is to simply add the ending -ment to an adjective in its feminine form. For example:
However, with adjectives that already end in a vowel, such as vrai, and absolu, we add ment to the masculine form:
Additionally, when an adjective already ends in ant or ent, we double the m to add mment to make the adverb. The following belong in this group:
Practice adding ment to the following adjectives to make common adverbs:
1. heureux
2. triste
3. vrai
What did you get? The answers should be:
1. heureusement
2. tristement
3. vraiment
French adverbs can be used to modify verbs. For example:
1. Comparing: Je parle mieux qu'elle. (I speak better than she does.)
2. Showing how often: Nous la voyons regulièrement. (We see her regularly.)
French adverbs can also modify adjectives. For example, to add emphasis:
1. Il est vraiment content. (He is really happy.)
2. Elle est absolument belle. (She is absolutely beautiful.)
French adverbs can be used to modify other adverbs. For example:
1. Showing how: Il parle très bien anglais. (He speaks English very well.)
2. Comparing: Marie court plus rapidement que Samira. (Marie runs more rapidly than Samira.)
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