Most adverbs in French are formed from the feminine form of the adjective, to which the suffix "-ment" is added. However, there are specific rules depending on the ending of the adjective.
Formation Rules
Adjectives ending in -ent or -ant
For adjectives ending in "-ent" or "-ant", the "-ent" or "-ant" is replaced by "-emment" or "-amment".
- Adjective: évident -> Adverb: évidemment. Note the pronunciation, it is pronounced "évidamment*", just like the word "femme" is pronounced "famme*".
- Adjective: constant -> Adverb: constamment
Adjectives with other endings
For most other adjectives, the adverb is formed from the feminine form of the adjective by adding "-ment".
- Feminine adjective: heureuse -> Adverb: heureusement
- Feminine adjective: facile -> Adverb: facilement
Exceptions and special cases
Some adverbs are formed irregularly or do not exactly follow these rules.
- Adjective: gentil -> Adverb: gentiment
- Adjective: bref -> Adverb: brièvement
Examples
- Il rentre rapidement chez lui après le travail. (He quickly goes home after work.)
- Elle chante joyeusement. (She sings joyfully.)
- Nous avons rarement vu un tel spectacle. (We have rarely seen such a show.)
- Je mange très lentement. (I eat very slowly.)
- Mes voisins rient bruyamment. (My neighbors laugh loudly.)
- Il faut parler gentiment aux enfants, sinon tu leur fais peur. (You must speak kindly to children, otherwise you scare them.)
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