The adverb specifies a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or an entire sentence. It often indicates manner, frequency, time, place, intensity, or degree. In French, its placement depends on what it modifies and can sometimes change the meaning or the emphasis.

The adverb of manner and the adverb of frequency are generally placed after the main verb. When the verb is conjugated with an auxiliary and a past participle, the short adverb is often placed between the two. For usage and formation, see also Adverbs of manner and Adverbs of frequency.

IdéeIdea	ExempleExample
L’adverbe de manière suit souvent le verbe qu’il précise.The adverb of manner often follows the verb it modifies.	Il parle lentement.He speaks slowly.
L’adverbe de fréquence suit souvent le verbe principal.The adverb of frequency often follows the main verb.	Il mange souvent.He eats often.
Un adverbe court se place fréquemment entre l’auxiliaire et le participe passé.A short adverb is often placed between the auxiliary and the past participle.	J’ai déjà vu ce film.I have already seen this film.

With an auxiliary followed by an infinitive, the adverb generally comes before the infinitive. In negation, ne and pas or jamais surround the conjugated verb. In the imperative, the adverb follows the verb and the pronouns are placed after the verb. These rules are also useful for Adverbs of time and Adverbs of place.

IdéeIdea	ExempleExample
L’adverbe se place généralement avant l’infinitif.The adverb generally comes before the infinitive.	Il va souvent partir.He is going to leave often.
La négation encadre le verbe conjugué.The negation frames the conjugated verb.	Il ne parle pas.He does not speak.
À l’impératif, l’adverbe suit le verbe.In the imperative, the adverb follows the verb.	Donne vite la réponse.Give the answer quickly.

Time and place adverbs can be placed at the beginning or end of the sentence depending on the information emphasized. The placement sometimes changes the focus, especially in speech or in a more expressive style. Some words like near, early, or a long time require careful reading of the context. For further reading, see Adverbs of time and Adverbs of place.

IdéeIdea	ExempleExample
Un adverbe de temps peut ouvrir la phrase.A time adverb can open the sentence.	Demain, nous partons.Tomorrow, we are leaving.
Un adverbe de lieu peut apparaître en fin de phrase.A place adverb can appear at the end of the sentence.	Nous partons ici.We are leaving here.
Le déplacement peut mettre un élément en relief.Placement can emphasize an element.	Ici, nous partons.Here, we are leaving.

The adverb that modifies an adjective or another adverb is placed before the word it intensifies. Degree adverbs such as very, too, or enough are often used to nuance the intensity. Adverbs are generally invariable and do not agree in gender or number, which distinguishes them from adjectives.

IdéeIdea	ExempleExample
Un adverbe de degré précède l’adjectif.A degree adverb precedes the adjective.	C’est très intéressant.It's very interesting.
Un adverbe peut précéder un autre adverbe.An adverb can precede another adverb.	Il parle très doucement.He speaks very slowly.
L’adverbe reste invariable.The adverb remains invariable.	Elle parle vite.She speaks quickly.

When several adverbs appear in the same sentence, the recommended order is first manner, then place, then time. In spoken French, this order can be relaxed to emphasize a specific element. Adverbs are part of the essential tools of French syntax, in direct relation to Adverbs.

IdéeIdea	ExempleExample
La manière vient généralement avant le lieu.The manner typically comes before the place.	Il travaille calmement ici.He works calmly here.
Le lieu vient généralement avant le temps.The place typically comes before the time.	Il travaille ici demain.He works here tomorrow.
L’ordre peut changer pour l’emphase.The order can change for emphasis.	Demain, il travaille ici.Tomorrow, he works here.

The position of the adverb depends on its function and the verbal structure. It is often placed after the verb, before the infinitive, between the auxiliary and the past participle, or at the beginning and end of the sentence depending on the intended meaning. Mastery of these positions helps understand the nuances of frequency, time, place, degree, and intensity.