When learning the French language, it is important to understand the various parts of speech that help us describe actions, states, and qualities. Adverbs of degree are one such important component of the language. In this guide, we will provide a brief and accurate explanation of adverbs of degree in French, including their purpose, formation, and usage. We will also provide example sentences to illustrate their usage in context.
What are Adverbs of Degree?
Adverbs of degree, also known as adverbs of quantity or intensity, are words that modify or provide additional information about the intensity, extent, or quantity of an action, adjective, or another adverb. These adverbs help us express the degree or intensity of something in a sentence. In French, adverbs of degree are used to indicate how much, to what extent, or in what manner something is done.
Formation of Adverbs of Degree:
In French, adverbs of degree are generally formed by adding specific suffixes to the base adjectives. Here are some common suffixes used to form adverbs of degree:
–ment: This suffix is added to the feminine form of an adjective to create the adverb. For example, “lent” (slow) becomes “lentement” (slowly).
–ément: Similar to -ment, this suffix is added to adjectives ending in -ent or -ant. For example, “fréquent” (frequent) becomes “fréquemment” (frequently).
–amment: This suffix is added to adjectives ending in -ant. For example, “constant” (constant) becomes “constamment” (constantly).
–ment: This suffix is added to adjectives ending in -el, -eux, or -i. For example, “réel” (real) becomes “réellement” (really).
Usage of Adverbs of Degree:
Adverbs of degree can be used in various ways in French. Let’s explore their usage in different contexts.
a) Modifying Verbs:
Adverbs of degree can modify verbs to indicate the intensity or extent of an action. Here are some examples:
Elle parle très vite. (She speaks very quickly.)
Il travaille assez dur. (He works quite hard.)
J’étudie vraiment beaucoup. (I study really a lot.)
b) Modifying Adjectives:
Adverbs of degree can also modify adjectives to express the degree or intensity of a quality. Here are some examples:
Cette maison est extrêmement grande. (This house is extremely big.)
Le film était vraiment ennuyeux. (The movie was really boring.)
Cet exercice est assez difficile. (This exercise is quite difficult.)
c) Modifying Other Adverbs:
Adverbs of degree can modify other adverbs to express the intensity or extent of an action or quality. Here are some examples:
Il parle très rapidement. (He speaks very quickly.)
Je conduis assez prudemment. (I drive quite cautiously.)
J’écris vraiment lentement. (I write really slowly.)
Placement of Adverbs of Degree:
In French, adverbs of degree are usually placed directly before the verb they modify. However, there are some exceptions and variations depending on the sentence structure. Here are some guidelines to follow:
a) Simple Tenses:
In simple tenses, the adverb is placed before the main verb:
Il parle souvent français. (He often speaks French.)
Je travaille vraiment dur. (I really work hard.)
b) Compound Tenses:
In compound tenses, the adverb is placed after the auxiliary verb and before the past participle:
J’ai vraiment aimé ce film. (I really liked this movie.)
Elle a souvent voyagé en Europe. (She has often traveled in Europe.)
c) Infinitives:
When an adverb modifies an infinitive verb, it is placed before the infinitive:
Je vais probablement partir demain. (I will probably leave tomorrow.)
Elle a décidé de venir rapidement. (She decided to come quickly.)
d) Interrogative Sentences:
In interrogative sentences, the adverb is placed before the verb:
Parles-tu couramment anglais? (Do you speak English fluently?)
Est-ce qu’elle étudie sérieusement? (Does she study seriously?)
Common French Adverbs of Degree:
Here are some commonly used adverbs of degree in French:
Très (very)
Vraiment (really)
Beaucoup (a lot)
Assez (quite)
Peu (little)
Trop (too much)
Tellement (so much)
Extrêmement (extremely)
Probablement (probably)
À peine (hardly)
Example Sentences:
Il est très gentil. (He is very kind.)
Je suis vraiment fatigué. (I am really tired.)
Elle parle beaucoup. (She talks a lot.)
C’est assez difficile. (It’s quite difficult.)
J’aime tellement cette chanson. (I love this song so much.)
Tu étudies extrêmement bien. (You study extremely well.)
Il pleut trop aujourd’hui. (It’s raining too much today.)
Probablement, je vais venir demain. (Probably, I will come tomorrow.)
Nous avons à peine commencé. (We have hardly started.)
In conclusion, adverbs of degree play a crucial role in expressing the intensity, extent, or quantity of actions, adjectives, or other adverbs in French. They are formed by adding specific suffixes to base adjectives and are used in various sentence structures. By understanding their formation and placement, learners can effectively communicate and describe the degree of something in the French language.
Originally posted 2023-07-15 02:42:17.