Language/French/Grammar/Adjectives-used-as-adverbs-without-addition-of-—ment
Not all adverbs derived from adjectives end in -ment. The masculine forms of several adjectives can be used as adverbs in combination with a particular set of verbs. They do not change in gender or in number when used in this way: Adjective Used in expressions such as:
Tab
The fact that some of these adjectives are used as adverbs has allowed the creation of related forms ending in -ment with different meanings:
- bon: bonnement
bonnement is used almost always with tout to give tout bonnement: 'quite simply'
- cher: chèrement
chèrement is used with the verb vendre in the set phrase: vendre chèrement sa vie: 'to sell one's life dearly'.
- bas: basement
bassement has taken the meaning: 'in a mean or despicable way' and is used in the set phrase agir bassement: 'to act in a mean or despicable way'.