Using adverbs and adverbial phrases
Adverbs
Adverbs usually modify the meaning of a verb; they also occasionally modify (or describe) an adjective or another adverb. The most common function of adverbs and adverbial phrases consists in modifying the meaning of a verb by telling how or in what way, how much or to what degree, when or how often, and where something is done.
Adverbs defining manner, place, and time
Many adverbs help define how, where, or when an action takes place. Here are some of these types of commonly used adverbs:
On the lines provided, write the letter of the adverb in the list on the right that answers each question logically.
Combine the following sentence fragments to create complete sentences. Be sure to use correct punctuation.
1. bien / nous chantons / cet hymne
2. l’argile / patiemment / l’artiste / sculpte
3. ce soir / ensemble / dînons
4. jouent / les enfants / silencieusement
5. faire des achats / allons / ailleurs
6. leurs études / rapidement / ils désiraient / finir
Adverbs defining quantity or intensity
A number of adverbs help define how much or to what degree something is done. The following are some commonly used adverbs of this type:
Complete each sentence with one of the adverbs from the following list to find out about Toby.
moins / trop / si / combien / tellement / davantage / assez
Toby est un petit chien mignon mais un peu (1) _______________________ gros. Il a toujours faim. Quand on lui donne son dîner, sa portion est (2) _______________________ grande mais Toby veut (3) ______________________________. Il a (4) _______________________ grossi ces derniers temps qu’il doit maintenant faire régime. La grande question, c’est (5) _______________________ il faut lui donner à manger? Oui, je sais bien qu’il faut lui donner (6) _______________________ qu’avant, mais j’ai (7) _______________________ peur de l’affamer et de le rendre malade. Oh la la! Quel dilemme!
Translate the following sentences into French.
1. Last night I did not sleep enough. _____________________________________________
2. I had too many things on my mind. ____________________________________________
3. Yet, I was so tired. ________________________________________________________
4. Today I feel more tired than ever. _____________________________________________
5. And I have so much to do. _________________________________________________
6. I will be so happy when the day is over! _______________________________________
Adverbs used in comparative and superlative structures
There are three comparative structures using adverbs; they serve to establish relationships of equality, superiority, or inferiority. The auxiliary adverbs used in comparisons are plus (more), moins (less), and aussi (as).
In the following example, note that the irregular comparative form of the adverb bien (well) is mieux (better), and that plus mal can be expressed as pis. However, this irregular form of pis is infrequently used in speaking.
The adverb bien as well as its irregular comparative form mieux are used idiomatically with the verb être (which is normally followed by an adjective).
If the comparison includes a quantitative element, use autant rather than aussi in front of the noun to express as.
The superlative adverbial structure serves to express the highest degree in which an action can be performed. It uses the adverbs plus and moins preceded by the masculine form of the definite article (le).
In the following examples, note the irregular superlative form of the adverb bien(mieux) as well as that of the adverb mal(pire). Le pis and le plus mal are both acceptable superlative forms, although le pis is infrequently used in speaking.
Complete each sentence in French appropriately, using translations of the words in parentheses.
1. Marc aime jouer aux cartes _______________________ que Luc. (as much)
2. Luc joue _______________________ fréquemment que Marc car il a plus de temps que lui. (more)
3. Aujourd’hui ils ont joué _______________________ l’un que l’autre mais c’est Luc qui a eu le plus de chance. (as seriously)
4. Luc a fait des fautes, mais _______________________ souvent que Marc. (less)
5. Marc n’a pas joué _______________________ que Luc. (as well)
6. Ils avaient décidé que celui qui aura joué _______________________ paiera le dîner. (the worst)
7. Marc s’habille _______________________ que Luc. (better)
8. Alors c’est lui qui attire l’attention des femmes ______________________. (the most)
9. Luc gagne _______________________ aux cartes mais Marc a du succès avec les femmes. (the most often)
10. Qu’est-ce qui est ______________________________? (better)
Adverbs used in assertions
Some adverbs are used to assert, confirm, or agree. Here are some that are commonly used in this way:
Adverbs used in negations
Some adverbs are used to make negative statements. The adverb ne (n’ before a vowel sound) must be present to make a verb negative and is often accompanied by a negative auxiliary word that may be an adverb such as pas (not). Here are a few such auxiliary adverbs:
In the following dialogue lines, complete each answer logically with an affirmative or negative adverb from the list.
aucunement / si / ni / assurément / soit / non
1. —Il n’a pas encore appelé? —Mais ______________________________, je viens de lui parler.
2. —Il n’a pas demandé de me parler? — ______________________________ , pas du tout!
3. —Ça ne t’étonne pas? — ______________________________ ! Il est fâché avec toi.
4. —Comment! Je croyais qu’on était réconciliés. —Crois-moi! Il n’a ni demandé ______________________________ voulu te parler!
5. —Il va falloir que je l’appelle moi-même. — ______________________________ , vas-y!
6. —Tu crois qu’il me parlera si je suis très gentille et repentante? ______________________________! Il ne pourra pas te résister.
Placement of adverbs
Adverbs have various positions in a sentence depending on the intended emphasis on the adverb, the length of the adverb, and whether the verb it modifies is in a simple or compound tense.
Adverbs of time as transitional words
Adverbs of time such as hier (yesterday) or ensuite (then) usually appear at the beginning of a sentence in both English and French because they act as transitional words. However, when the emphasis is on the action rather than on the time factor, they may appear at the end of a sentence.
Translate the italicized English adverbs into French to complete each sentence.
1. First, I review my notes. Then, I do my exercises. Finally, I work on the computer.
_______________________ je révise mes notes. ____________________________ je fais mes exercices. ______________________________ je travaille à l’ordinateur.
2. I went to the airport this morning. Now I am waiting for the plane. Soon I will leave for Canada.
Je suis allé à l’aéroport ______________________________.____________________________ j’attends l’avion. __________________ je partirai pour le Canada.
3. Last night, I was exhausted. Today I feel better. Tonight I will go to bed early.
______________________ soir, j’étais épuisé. ________________________________ je me sens mieux. __________________________ je me coucherai ______________________________.
4. Last year I used to be late to class every day. This year I improved a lot. Currently I am hardly ever late.
L’année dernière j’étais _______________________ au cours ______________________________ . Cette année j’ai fait beaucoup de progrès. _______________________ je ne suis presque __________________________ en retard.
Adverbs as modifiers of verbs in simple tenses
Short adverbs (no more than two syllables) are usually placed after the verb when the sentence features a verb in a simple tense (present, future, imperfect, imperative forms). This is quite different from English. In an English sentence, the adverb is usually placed before the verb. Note the differing positions of the adverb in the following French and English sentences:
In the previous examples, the short adverb was consistently placed after the verb in the French sentences while placed before the verb in the English sentences. Now consider the following examples. Note that the French adverb continues to follow the verb while the English adverb is now at the end of the sentence and after the complement.
Consider the following sentences and note that the short French adverb is still consistently placed after the verb it modifies. In these sentences, however, the English adverb also follows the verb.
Long adverbs (more than two syllables) can be placed at the beginning of a sentence (for emphasis), after the verb it modifies, or at the end of a sentence:
adverb + subject + verb
or
subject + verb + adverb + complement
or
Make complete sentences by reconstructing the sentence fragments, placing each adverb in the only possible position.
1. sait / le petit garçon / déjà / parler
2. mal / parle / sa petite sœur
Now reconstruct each sentence in two different ways by placing the adverb in two different positions.
3. parle / le professeur / aux élèves / intelligemment
4. prépareront / leurs colloques / soigneusement / les conférenciers
5. assistaient / les spectateurs / aux concerts / régulièrement
6. les acteurs / la pièce / patiemment / répètent
Adverbs as modifiers of verbs in compound tenses
In French sentences featuring a compound tense, such as the passé composé or the pluperfect, which require a helping verb and a past participle, short adverbs are found between the auxiliary verb avoir or être and the past participle.
In the last example, note that when the verb in the passé composé (as fini) is translated into English as have finished, the word order is the same in French and English.
The placement of the long adverb modifying a verb in a simple tense or a verb in a compound tense is not significantly different. When the verb is in a compound tense, long adverbs are consistently found at the beginning, at the end, or between the auxiliary verb and the past participle in a French sentence.
adverb + subject + auxiliary verb + past participle
or
subject + auxiliary verb + past participle + adverb
or
Rewrite each sentence changing the verb from the present tense to the passé composé and placing the adverb correctly in the sentence. There are two possible positions for the adverbs in sentences 5 and 6.
1. J’aime bien ce gâteau. _______________________________________________________
2. Lise apprend vite son vocabulaire. ______________________________________________
3. Gigi finit déjà son dîner. ______________________________________________________
4. Nous allons souvent au cinéma. _________________________________________________
5. Il récite passionnément le poème. _______________________________________________
6. Elle explique longuement la leçon. ______________________________________________
Adverbs in negative expressions
The adverb ne always precedes the conjugated verb it modifies while the auxiliary adverb that completes it follows the verb in simple tenses such as present, future, or imparfait.
The adverb ne and the auxiliary adverb that completes it frame the conjugated auxiliary verb être or avoirin compound tenses such as passé composé.
The adverb ne and the auxiliary adverb that completes it both precede the infinitive verb they modify in a sentence.
The adverb ne is sometimes found alone (its auxiliary complement pas being omitted) after the verbs oser (to dare), cesser (to cease), savoir (to know), and pouvoir (to be able), as well as after voici/voilà...que, cela fait...que, il y a...que (for a length of time).
Rewrite each sentence changing the verb from the affirmative to the negative form. Use the negative adverbial expressions in parentheses, and be sure to place them correctly in the sentence.
1. Joëlle sait toujours quoi dire. (ne...jamais)
2. Elle ose dire la vérité. (ne...pas)
3. Elle est timide. (ne...nullement)
4. Mais elle a peur de plaire aux gens. (Put plaire into the negative form using ne...pas.)
5. Elle a toujours été sûre d’elle-même. (ne...jamais)
6. Elle s’est souvent opposée aux opinions de ses amis. (ne...pas)
Adverbs as modifiers of adjectives and other adverbs
In both English and French, adverbs sometimes serve to modify the meaning of adjectives and other adverbs. They are placed before the words they modify.
In the following sentences, note how the adverbsassez, terriblement, très, and plutôtmodify the meaning of the adjectives:
In the the next sentences, the adverbs modify the meaning of another adverb:
The following is a list of some adverbs that often perform as modifiers of adjectives or other adverbs:
Translate the following sentences into French.
1. Isi is very strong. _____________________________________________________
2. Isa is quite pretty. _____________________________________________________
3. Isi is taller than Isa. ____________________________________________________
4. Isa is slimmer than Isi. __________________________________________________
5. Isi is quite intelligent. ___________________________________________________
6. Isa is as intelligent as Isi. _______________________________________________
Adverbial phrases
In French and in English alike, adverbial phrases can have various positions in a sentence: at the beginning, at the end, or right after the verb. Therefore, use the same word order in French and in English when dealing with an adverbial phrase. Here are a few structural variations of adverbial phrases:
adverbial phrase + subject + verb
or
Adverbial phrases always modify the meaning of a verb. They come in a great variety of composite structures. Following are a few common adverbial structures:
Preposition + noun
An adverbial phrase can consist of a preposition and a noun or noun phrase.
Write L (Logique) or PL (Pas logique) on the lines according to whether the following statements are logical or not.
1. __________ Elle est timide. Elle parle à voix haute.
2. __________ Il a beaucoup à dire. Il parle sans cesse.
3. __________ Elle voulait vendre sa maison. Elle a signé le contrat de vente à contrecœur.
4. __________ Il était heureux de nous revoir. Il nous a accueillis à bras ouverts.
5. __________ Il est dix heures dix mais sur ma montre il est dix heures. Elle est en avance.
6. __________ Mon lave-vaisselle ne marche pas. Je lave mes assiettes à la main.
Avec + noun
This structure is often used to add emphasis to the manner in which something is done and replaces a simple adverb, for example, avec franchise (with frankness) is used instead of franchement (frankly).
Use an adverbial phrase that includes avec to complete each sentence.
1. Une personne honnête parle __________________________________________________.
2. Une personne polie agit ______________________________________________________.
3. Une personne minutieuse fait les choses __________________________________________.
4. Une personne élégante s’habille _______________________________________________.
5. Une personne diligente fait tout ________________________________________________.
6. Une personne patiente vous traite _______________________________________________.
D’un air/ton or d’une façon/manière + adjective
This structure is often used to clarify whether it is the demeanor, look, appearance, or tone that is being described. Sometimes this structure replaces a simple adverb, for example, d’un air familier (with a familiar look) is used instead of familièrement (in a familiar manner).
Other times, these phrases cannot be replaced by a simple adverb:
When appropriate, replace the italicized phrases with simple adverbs. If there is no such adverb, write X on the line.
Il était une fois une petite fille qui se dirigeait (1) _______________________ (d’un air insouciant) vers la maison de sa grand-mère. En chemin, elle rencontra le loup qui la regarda (2) _______________________ (d’un air familier) et lui parla (3) _______________________ (d’un ton doux). La petite fille l’écouta (4) _______________________ (d’un air naïf). Il lui demanda (5) _______________________ (d’un air blagueur) s’il pouvait l’accompagner. Elle lui répondit que oui (6) _______________________ (d’un air très conciliatoire). Mais la petite rusée l’emmena tout droit à la maison du garde forestier qui lui dit (7) _______________________ (d’un ton coléreux) de retourner au plus vite dans la forêt.
Replace the following adverbs with adverbial phrases that are synonymous. Use expressions such as d’un air....
1. tristement ____________________________
2. élégamment ___________________________
3. furieusement ___________________________
4. joyeusement ___________________________
5. soigneusement _________________________
6. franchement __________________________
Note the following adverbial phrases that consist of a preposition and an adjective:
And now note how the following examples of prepositional phrases can serve the function of adverbs:
The following are examples of noun phrases serving the function of adverbs:
And here are a few more noun phrases that serve as adverbs:
Fill in each blank with an adverbial phrase from the list.
de plus / par contre / ensemble / longtemps / avec courtoisie / en particulier / là-bas / en général / ensuite / en force / d’abord / à bon marché
1. Les Robert ont décidé de faire un voyage en Corse tous ______________________________.
2. ______________________________ ils vont écrire au syndicat d’initiative.
3. ______________________________ ils écriront à l’oncle Julius qui habite ______________________________.
4. L’oncle Julius habite la Corse depuis ______________________________ .
5. Il sera content de voir arriver sa famille ______________________________
6. Cela permettra aux Robert de passer des vacances ______________________________ car il n’y aura pas de note d’hôtel.
7. ______________________________ c’est toujours mieux de visiter un endroit avec les gens des environs.
8. ______________________________ les habitants d’une région connaissent tous les coins et les recoins de l’endroit, ______________________________ les restaurants et les cafés sympa.
9. ______________________________ , comme il a un âge avancé, est-ce qu’il connaîtra les boîtes de nuit?
10. Ils lui demanderont cela ______________________________.
Write this postcard text in French. Use the suggested vocabulary and beware of the placement of adverbs.
Dear friend, I am having so much fun here in France (s’amuser). You have no idea (ne pas avoir idée) how much (combien de) culture and history I am learning. I will be much more knowledgeable (avoir des connaissances) when I finish this trip. I am so happy to be here (heureux d’être ici) and have no regrets at all (regret) that I am spending so much money. French people are very polite and welcoming (polis et accueillants). You cannot imagine (imaginer) how enriching this trip is (enrichissant)! See you soon!