Adverb Formation
Spoken Description
Learn how to form adverbs in French: add -ment to adjectives, recognize spelling changes, and understand placement in sentences. Clear explanations, examples, and practice exercises make adverb formation easy.
Adverb Formation: use -ment, spelling rules, and placement to form and place adverbs in sentences. Simple rules, examples, and practice to build confidence in French adverb use.
-:- / -:-
Adverbs often shape how an action is performed, so forming them reliably helps you add precise details.
Basic Formation
The most common way to form an adverb is to start from an adjective and add ‑ment to the feminine singular form, so you'll adapt the adjective ending before adding the adverbial suffix.
Examples
Final Adverb
Elle parle(slow) .
She speaks slowly.
Adjective → Adverb (write '_ment' after the feminine stem)
Adverbs from Adjectives Ending in ‑ant / ‑ent
Adjectives that end in ‑ant or ‑ent change to ‑amment or ‑emment when forming adverbs, so pay attention to these predictable yet distinct endings.
Examples
Final Adverb
Elle parle(slow) .
She speaks slowly.
Adjective → Adverb (write '_ment' after the feminine stem)
Adverbs from Adjectives Ending in ‑ique, ‑able, ‑ible
Adjectives ending in ‑ique, ‑able, or ‑ible follow the regular pattern: form the feminine singular if needed, then add ‑ment to create the adverb.
Examples
Final Adverb
Elle parle(slow) .
She speaks slowly.
Adjective → Adverb (write '_ment' after the feminine stem)
Adverbs from Adjectives Ending in ‑e
Adjectives that end with a silent ‑e typically drop that final ‑e before adding ‑ment, so the adverb attaches directly to the stem form.
Examples
Final Adverb
Elle parle(slow) .
She speaks slowly.
Adjective → Adverb (write '_ment' after the feminine stem)
Adverbs from Adjectives Ending in ‑eux, ‑if, ‑el
Adjectives ending in ‑eux, ‑if, or ‑el change to their feminine form before adding ‑ment, so the adverb reflects the adjective's feminine stem plus the adverbial suffix.
Examples
Final Adverb
Elle parle(slow) .
She speaks slowly.
Adjective → Adverb (write '_ment' after the feminine stem)
Adverbs from Adjectives Ending in ‑ant / ‑ent
Adjectives ending in ‑ant or ‑ent form adverbs by replacing these endings with ‑amment or ‑emment, so the adverb aligns with the expected sound and spelling changes.
Examples
Final Adverb
Elle parle(slow) .
She speaks slowly.
Adjective → Adverb (write '_ment' after the feminine stem)
Adverbs That Don't Follow the Rule
Some common adverbs don't come from adjectives and must be memorized because they serve frequent useful functions; learn these exceptions to avoid hesitation.
Examples
Final Adverb
Elle parle(slow) .
She speaks slowly.
Adjective → Adverb (write '_ment' after the feminine stem)
Adverbs from Adjectives Ending in ‑ique, ‑able, ‑ible
Adjectives ending in ‑ique, ‑able, or ‑ible form adverbs regularly by adding ‑ment to the feminine form, so the pattern stays consistent for these common endings.
Examples
Final Adverb
Elle parle(slow) .
She speaks slowly.
Adjective → Adverb (write '_ment' after the feminine stem)
Adverbs from Adjectives Ending in ‑ant / ‑ent
Adjectives ending in ‑ant or ‑ent turn into adverbs by replacing these endings with ‑amment or ‑emment, such as brillant to brillamment, so the sound matches the spelling change.
Examples
Final Adverb
Elle parle(slow) .
She speaks slowly.
Adjective → Adverb (write '_ment' after the feminine stem)
Summary
Most adverbs form by adding ‑ment to the feminine adjective form, but endings like ‑ant/‑ent and exceptions must be learned; start from adjectives and apply these patterns consistently.
Final
Practice turning adjectives into adverbs aloud to feel the sound changes, and memorize key exceptions that appear in everyday speech.
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