Adverbs ending in -ment in French

Read more about how to use Adverbs ending in -ment in French.
Feel the need to learn new grammar tips fast? Learn French online and test your grammar knowledge with Frantastique for free.

TEST YOUR FRENCH Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,6 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot
More than 7 million learners worldwide

Adverbs ending in -ment

Adverbs ending in -ment are formed using the adjective as a base:

• the feminine adjective ♀ + -ment (when the adjective ends in e or a consonant).

adjective
feminine adjective + -ment
adverb of manner
général (general)
générale + ment
généralement (generally)
difficile (difficult)
difficile + ment
difficilement (with difficulty)

Elle est rapide. She's quick. → Elle mange rapidement. She eats quickly.
Elle est lente. She's slow. → Il berce lentement le bébé. He's slowly rocking the baby.

• the masculine adjective ♂ + -ment (when the adjective ends in i, u or é).

vrai → vraiment true → truely, really
poli → poliment polite → politely
exagéré → exagérement exagerated, excessive → excessively, overly
absolu → absolument absolute → absolutely, totally

• adjectives ending in -ent and -ant become emment and amment.

violent → violemment violent → violently
méchant → méchamment nasty, spiteful → spitefully, badly
patient → patiemment patient → patiently

Note: -emment and -amment are pronounced in the same way:
patiemment patiently
fréquemment frequently
Special cases: There are exceptions to the rule, as ever! Here are the most common ones:

gentil → gentiment kind, nice → gently, kindly
bref → brièvement briefly → briefly
impuni → impunément unpunished → with impunity, recklessly
précipité → précipitamment hasty, rash → hastily, hurriedly

Still having trouble with 'Adverbs ending in -ment'? Master the rules of French grammar and improve your French level thanks to our online French lessons Frantastique. We're offering a 7-day free trial, so what are you waiting for?



What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online French lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my French. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.


Looking to improve French for beginners? Frantastique provides effective and fun training!

Tips for learning 'Adverbs ending in -ment'? Share them with us!

TEST YOUR FRENCH