French Grammar in Context

(lu) #1
biAdjectives which end in a vowel other than mute -eneed particular care. Add -mentto the
MASCULINE, not the feminine form:
e.g. absolument; poliment; résolument
Note particularly the very common vraiment, and avoid the error of writing *vraiement.
iiA few adjectives ending in -utake a circumflex accent before -ment,
e.g. assidûment; continûment
c A few adjectives ending in a consonant take an acute accent on the feminine form before


  • mentis added:
    e.g. confusément; précisément; profondément
    d There is one notable exception to the rule that adjectives ending in -ant, -entform their
    adverbs in -amment, -emment. It is lentement.
    e Note the following irregular adverbs, listed with the corresponding adjective in brackets: bien
    (bon); mal(mauvais); brièvement (bref ); gentiment (gentil).
    f Note particularly that vite(quickly; soon) is an adverb; it does not have a corresponding
    adjective and there is no such form as *vitement.
    g There are a few adjectives for which no corresponding adverb in -mentexists. Examples
    include content, fâché, possible. Adverbial phrases (see Usage, 1d, above) and impersonal
    expressions (see Usage, 1g, above) are used in these cases.


3 WORD ORDER
a Adverbs of place follow the past participle when the verb is in a compound tense:
e.g. Ils ont fouillé partout. Elle est allée ailleurs
The adverbs of time tôt, tard, aussitôt, aujourd’hui, demainand hierbehave likewise:
e.g. Ils sont arrivés hier. Elle est partie tôt
b These same adverbs also follow an infinitive:
e.g. J’ai dû chercher partout. Ils ont dû rentrer tard
c Other short adverbs usually precede the past participle or infinitive:
e.g. Il a trop bu. Ils se sont déjà endormis
J’ai lu l’article pour mieux comprendre ses théories
Vous risquez de mal juger son caractère
d Be careful with dictionary items listed in the infinitive, e.g. mal comprendre(to
misunderstand). Remember that when this is conjugated, the adverb will follow the verb in a
simple tense:
e.g. L’enfant comprend mal le jeu
and come between the auxiliary and past participle in a compound tense:
e.g. L’enfant a mal compris le jeu
e Adverbs of time and place may be positioned at the beginning of the clause or sentence for
extra emphasis, and/or to link with what has gone before.
e.g. Aujourd’hui nous faisons face à un véritable dilemme

112 French Grammar in Context

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