Monday, November 10, 2008

French Adverbs - Les Adverbes

Explain the types and placement of French adverbs in depth. If this seems too complicated, see the simplified explanation in my introduction to adverbs.
There are many different types of French adverbs:
adverbs of frequency
adverbs of manner (includes French adverb formation)
adverbs of place
adverbs of quantity
adverbs of time
comparative/superlative adverbs
exclamative adverbs
indefinite adverbs
interrogative adverbs
negative adverbs
The placement of French adverbs depends to some extent upon the type of adverb and the word that it is modifying.
I.
Short adverbs that modify a verb usually follow the conjugated verb. (Remember that in compound tenses, the auxiliary verb is the conjugated verb, so the adverb follows that.)
Nous mangeons bien.Nous avons bien mangé.Nous allons bien manger.
We eat well.We ate well.We will eat well.
Il fait souvent la cuisine.Il a souvent fait la cuisine.Il doit souvent faire la cuisine.
He often cooks.He often cooked.He often has to cook.

II.
Adverbs of frequency are usually placed after the verb.Exception: parfois is normally placed at the beginning of the sentence.
Je fais toujours mes devoirs.
I always do my homework.
Parfois, Luc ne fait pas ses devoirs.
Sometimes Luc doesn't do his homework.

III.
Adverbs of time which refer to specific days can be placed at the beginning or end of the sentence.
Aujourd'hui, je vais acheter une voiture.
Today, I'm going to buy a car.
Elles arriveront demain.
They'll arrive tomorrow.

IV.
Long adverbs are usually placed at the beginning or end of the sentence.
Généralement, nous mangeons avant 17h00.
Normally, we eat before 5pm.
Je ne l'ai pas trouvé, malheureusement.
I didn't find it, unfortunately.
However, if the long adverb specifically modifies the verb, it is placed after the conjugated verb.
Il a immédiatement quitté Paris.
He left Paris immediately.

V.
Adverbs of place are usually found after the direct object.
Il a mis ton sac à dos là-bas.
He put your backpack over there.
J'ai trouvé le livre ici.
I found the book here.

VI.
Adverbs which modify adjectives or other adverbs are placed in front of the word they modify.
Je suis très heureuse.
I'm very happy.
Chantal fait assez souvent ses devoirs.
Chantal does her homework fairly often.

VII.
In negative constructions, adverbs which would normally follow the verb are placed after pas.
Je mange bien ==> Je ne mange pas bien.
I eat well ==> I don't eat well.
Tu travailles trop ==> Tu ne travailles pas trop.
You work too much ==> You don't work too much.
It's been a busy month for me, now I'm still at a short course at Permai Inn for three days. Lots of new friend I've met along the courses.
Hopefuly we can meet at other time. To the twins Ita and Ina also Kak Midah good luck in your work see u all sooner when there is the meeting. Do contact me if there a time.

VACATAIRE

Definition: stand-in, temporary replacement, part-time teacher
Je dois trouver un vacataire pour novembre, quand je serai en vacances
- I have to find a stand-in for November, when I'll be on vacation.
Il est vacataire à l'université
- He's a part-time (contract) teacher at the university.
Related: la vacation - vacation
Pronunciation: [va ka tehr]