The role of adverbs

The role of an adverb is to modify the meaning of a word, a phrase or a sentence.

Characteristic of adverbs

Adverbs are invariable in form (but see 480 for tout as adverb of degree).

Types of adverbs

adverbs of manner

adverbs of time

adverbs of place

adverbs of degree

adverbs of affirmation and negation

interrogative adverbs

adverbs as connectors

Formation of adverbs

Only a small sample of examples is given below.

By adding –ment to the masculine form of the adjective –

This category includes those adjectives which do not distinguish masculine from feminine gender and those ending in –é, –i, –u (see 3 below) or –û –

absolu + ment = absolument = absolutely

aisé + ment = aisément = easily

ambigu + ment = ambigument = ambiguously

atroce + ment = atrocement= atrociously

deuxième + ment = deuxièmement = secondly

dû + ment = dûment =duly

gauche + ment = gauchement = awkwardly

modeste + ment = modestement = modestly

poli + ment = poliment = politely

vrai + ment = vraiment = truly

By adding -ment to the feminine form of the adjective

actif > active + ment = activement = actively

dernier > dernière + ment = dernièrement = lastly

fou > folle + ment = follement = madly

grossier > grossière + ment = grossièrement = coarsely

léger > légère = légèrement = lightly

premier > première = premièrement = firstly

public > publique = publiquement = publicly

tel > telle + ment = tellement = so

total > totale + ment = totalement = totally

exception – gentil > gentiment = kindly