Placement of Adverbs in French
Placement of Adverbs in French
Adverbs in French can appear in different positions depending on their type and the sentence structure. Here are four common cases:
1. At the Beginning or End of the Sentence
Some adverbs (especially those expressing time or opinion) can be placed at the beginning or end of a sentence.
- Example:
Heureusement, il est venu.
Il est venu, heureusement.
(Fortunately, he came.)
2. After the Verb
Most adverbs of manner, place, or time are placed directly after the verb they modify.
- Example:
Elle parle doucement.
(She speaks gently.)
3. In Passé Composé: Between the Auxiliary and the Past Participle
Short and common adverbs (like bien, mal, déjà, toujours, encore) are usually placed between the auxiliary verb (avoir or être) and the past participle.
- Example:
Il a déjà mangé.
(He has already eaten.)
4. Before an Adjective or Another Adverb
Adverbs that modify an adjective or another adverb are placed directly before it.
- Example:
Elle est très intelligente.
(She is very intelligent.)
Il parle trop vite.
(He speaks too quickly.)
Exercises (in French)
Complétez les phrases suivantes avec la bonne position de l’adverbe.
(heureusement) Il est venu.
Elle parle (doucement).
Il a (déjà) mangé.
Elle est (très) intelligente.
Il parle (trop vite).
Place the adverb in the correct position
(souvent) Nous allons au cinéma.
(déjà) Tu as vu ce film ?
(bien) Il parle français.
(rarement) Elle mange du chocolat.
(toujours) Ils sont en retard.
Choose the correct sentence
Where do you place the adverb in the following sentence?
“Elle a (vite) terminé son travail.”
Complete: “_____, il a compris la leçon.” (heureusement)
Transform the sentence by adding the adverb in parentheses in the correct place
Il a fini son repas. (rapidement)
Nous avons vu ce film. (déjà)
Elle chante. (toujours)
Correct the adverb position if necessary
Il mange son dessert toujours.
Elle parle français bien.
Nous partons demain tôt.