Language/French/Grammar/Formation-of-adverbs-with-the-ending-–ment

Formation of Adverbs with the Ending -ment in French Grammar

Adverbs in French are used to modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. In this lesson, we will explore how to form adverbs with the ending -ment in French.

Formation of Adverbs with the Ending -ment

In French, many adverbs are formed by adding -ment to the feminine singular form of the adjective. For example:

• Lent (slow) -> Lentement (slowly)
• Facile (easy) -> Facilement (easily)

Note that if the adjective already ends in -e, no extra -e is added before the -ment ending. For example:

• Poli (polite) -> Poliment (politely)

Exceptions to the Rule

Some adjectives have irregular adverb forms, or do not form adverbs with the ending -ment. Some examples include:

• Bon (good) -> Bien (well)
• Mauvais (bad) -> Mal (badly)
• Vrai (true) -> Vraiment (truly)

Placement of Adverbs

In French, adverbs usually come after the verb they modify. However, some adverbs, such as "bien" and "mal," can come before the verb. For example:

• Elle parle bien français. (She speaks French well.)
• Il chante mal. (He sings badly.)

Conclusion

Forming adverbs with the ending -ment is an important part of mastering French grammar. By understanding the rules for forming these adverbs and knowing the exceptions, you can improve your French language skills and communicate more effectively with native speakers.