Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, and superlative adverbs show the highest degree of an action or quality. This guide covers how to form and use superlative adverbs with examples.
Formation
Most adverbs in French are formed by adding -ment to an adjective's feminine form, and this pattern helps you recognize and create adverbs consistently. Adverbs that modify adjectives or other adverbs usually come immediately after the word they modify.
From Adjectives
To form an adverb from an adjective, change the adjective to its feminine form if needed, then add -ment; some adjectives have irregular adverb forms. Adverbs formed this way typically describe how something is done, such as lentement (slowly) or heureusement (fortunately).
| French Adjective | French Adverb | English Adjective | English Adverb | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lent (slow) | lentement | slow | slowly | |
| heureux (happy) | heureusement | happy | fortunately | |
| rapide (fast) | rapidement | fast | quickly | |
| constant (constant) | constamment | constant | constantly |
He speaks more clearly than you.
Irregular Adverbs
Some common adverbs are irregular and must be memorized because they do not follow the usual -ment pattern; these adverbs often have forms that look quite different from their adjectives. Irregular adverbs tend to be frequently used words like bien and mal, so learning them helps you sound natural.
| French Adjective | French Adverb | English Adjective | English Adverb | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bon (good) | bien (well) | good | well | |
| mauvais (bad) | mal (badly) | bad | badly | |
| rapide (fast) | vite (quickly) | quick | quickly | |
| certain (certain) | certainement (certainly) | certain | certainly |
Comparison
Adverbs are compared using plus, moins, and aussi followed by the adverb, and expressions like beaucoup can intensify the comparison. To say that one action is more or less done in a certain way, place the comparative word before the adverb.
| French Sentence | English Sentence | |
|---|---|---|
| Elle court plus vite que lui. | She runs faster than him. | |
| Il parle moins clairement. | He speaks less clearly. | |
| Ils étudient aussi sérieusement. | They study just as seriously. | |
| Nous travaillons beaucoup plus efficacement. | We work much more efficiently. |
Superlative
The superlative of adverbs is formed by placing le (or la, les to agree with the noun if needed) before plus or moins and then the adverb; for adverbs, le is generally used. Use le plus to say an action is done in the greatest degree and le moins for the smallest degree.
| French Sentence | English Sentence | |
|---|---|---|
| Elle court le plus vite. | She runs the fastest. | |
| Il parle le moins clairement. | He speaks the least clearly. | |
| Ils étudient le plus sérieusement. | They study the most seriously. | |
| Nous travaillons le moins efficacement. | We work the least efficiently. |
Common Adverbs
Adverbs that frequently appear in comparisons and superlatives describe time, manner, place, and degree, so knowing common ones helps you make precise statements. Below are some useful adverbs for everyday speech and writing.
| French Adverb | English Adverb | |
|---|---|---|
| rapidement | quickly | |
| lentement | slowly | |
| clairement | clearly | |
| efficacement | efficiently | |
| sérieusement | seriously | |
| facilement | easily | |
| doucement | gently | |
| bien | well |
Summary
Adverbs usually end in -ment when formed from adjectives, irregular adverbs must be learned separately, and comparisons use plus, moins, and aussi while superlatives place le before plus or moins. Mastering these patterns lets you describe actions with precise degrees and nuances.
Adverbs modify how, when, where, or to what extent something happens, so paying attention to placement and form ensures your sentences are clear and natural. Practice with common adverbs and comparative and superlative constructions to make your descriptions more vivid and accurate.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025