French adverbs

What is an adverb?

An adverb (French: l'adverbe) is a word usually used with verbs, adjectives or other adverbs that gives more information about when, how, where, or in what circumstances something happens.

They are four types of adverbs in the French grammar:

1. Adverbs of Place
2. Adverbs of Time
3. Adverbs of Manner
4. Adverbs of Quantity

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How adverbs are used?

In general adverbs can be used together with verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. Adverbs can also relate to the whole sentence; they often tell you what the speaker is thinking or feeling.

Please note that adverbs in French never change their form, no matter what they refer to. 

Characteristics of adverbs

We have to differ between two kinds of adverbs in the French language:

• les adverbes simples which don't have a characteristic ending (alors, bien, comme, plus)
• les adverbes en -ment which end in -ment (longuement, franchement, naturellement)

Many English adverbs end in -ly, which is added to the end of the adjective. In French, many adverbs end in -ment.
This is usually added to the end of the feminine singular form of the adjective.

Only exception: If the masculine adjective ends in -e, -i or -u.

The adverbs of time in French 

An adverb of time (French: adverbe de temps) is an invariable word that gives an indication of time (duration or chronology). It brings a nuance to the meaning of a noun, an adjective, a verb or another adverb.

Examples

The adverbs of place in French 

An adverb of place (French: adverbe de lieu) is an invariable word that indicates the place where the action takes place. In general, it answers the question "Where ?". Often he accompanies and precedes a nominal group. 

Examples 

The adverbs of manner in French

A adverb of manner (French: adverbe de manière) is an invariable word that indicates how the action unfolds. In general, it helps answer the question "how ?"

Examples: 

• Tu récites ta leçon rapidemment. (You are repeating your lesson quickly)
• Ton frère courrait tellement vite comme un lynx. (Your brother was running so fast like a lynx)

The adverbs of quantity in French

An adverb of quantity (French: adverbe de quantité) is an invariable word that gives information on quantity. It brings a nuance to the meaning of a noun, an adjective, a verb or another adverb. When it specifies a name, it is followed by the preposition "de" or "d" and answers the question: "How much ?". 

Examples

The adverb "bien" in French

The meaning of the adverb "bien" (good) depends on the word (or words) it accompanies.

Bien + verb

When accompanying a verb, it has the same meaning as:

• Effectivement (effectively) 
• Idéalement (Ideally)
• De manière satisfaisante (satisfactorily)

​Examples 

Bien expresses a quantity of things

When he accompanies a name, he expresses a quantity of things. It is followed by the preposition de, du or des and means beaucoup (a lot).

Examples

Bien + adjective

When accompanying an adjective it means très (very) or vraiment (really). It marks a strong intensity.

Examples

Learn more about the adverbs in our subpages !