We already know that adverbs specify another part of the sentence and can refer to the place, the time, the reason, or the manner. Let's learn more about them: their position in the sentence and their comparative and superlative forms.
French
English
Je vais aussi vite que toi.
I'm going as fast as you.
Comparison of the Adverbs
Rule 1: Adverbs can be put in comparative and superlative forms just like adjectives:
- Comparative:
- aussi vite que (as fast as)
- plus vite que (faster than)
- moins vite que (slower than)
French
English
Il conduit plus vite que nous.
He's driving faster than us.
- Superlative:
- le plus vite (the fastest)
- le moins vite (the slowest)
French
English
Je conduis le plus lentement possible.
I drive as slowly as possible. [the slowest possible]
Irregular Adverbs
Rule 2: There are adverbs that have irregular comparative and superlative forms:
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| bien (good) | mieux (better) | le mieux (the best) |
| beaucoup (a lot) | plus (more) | le plus (the most) |
| peu (little) | moins (less) | le moins (the least) |
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| bien (good) | mieux (better) | le mieux (the best) |
| beaucoup (a lot) | plus (more) | le plus (the most) |
| peu (little) | moins (less) | le moins (the least) |
French
English
Je t'aime le plus.
I love you the most.
Position of the Adverbs with Composed Times
Rule 3: Long adverbs indicating the manner are placed after the past participle.
French
English
Nous avons travaillé sérieusement pour réussir cet examen.
We have worked hard to pass this exam.
Rule 4: Adverbs that refer to an infinitive come after the infinitive.
French
English
Il faut parler lentement.
You have to speak slowly.
Rule 5: In the other cases the adverb is placed between the auxiliary and the past participle.
French
English
Il a peu dormi.
He slept little.
This works for:
- Adverbs that indicate intensity or frequency.
French
English
Nous avons trop mangé.
We ate too much.
Je n'ai pas souvent pris le train.
I didn't take the train often.
- Short adverbs that we often use (bien, mal, vite).
French
English
Je n'ai pas bien compris.
I didn't quite understand.
- Adverbs indicating doubt or probability (certainement, peut-être, probablement, sans doute).
French
English
Ils ont peut-être eu un problème.
They may have/[perhaps] had a problem.
Quiz
1/4
Translate: I'm shooting as high as you.
0
correct answers.