Learning French Adverbs
A comprehensive guide that helps beginner English students learn the use of adverbs in the French language.
à l'intérieur de
within
The French equivalent for 'within' is 'à l'intérieur de'. It is often used to describe some sort of containment or existence within set boundaries or limits. In French, it can also imply a certain period in time. Like in English, 'à l'intérieur de' is used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
Example sentences with à l'intérieur de →à travers
through
The French term for 'through' is 'à travers'. It is used in the same context as in English. For instance, when indicating movement from one side to another, or expressing time or intensity. Like doing something 'à travers la journée' which means 'throughout the day'. It can also denote means of accomplishing something. However, It's important to note that prepositions can be tricky in French and sometimes 'through' can be translated differently based on the context.
Example sentences with à travers →absolument
absolutely
The French word 'absolument' is used in the same way as 'absolutely' in English. It is an adverb that is used to agree completely or to emphasize something. You can use it to express full agreement, or to say that something is entirely true or accurate. Examples include: 'Il est absolument correct' (He's absolutely correct), or 'C'est absolument merveilleux!' (It's absolutely wonderful!).
Example sentences with absolument →ainsi
thus
The French word 'ainsi' is used in a similar way as 'thus' in English. It can be used to denote the consequence of something or to introduce an explanation. It is an important connective word in French, helping to introduce a result or effect, and is a common word seen in both written and spoken French.
Example sentences with ainsi →alors
then
The French word for 'then' is 'alors'. It is used in a similar context as in English, often to indicate a sequence of events. For example, 'First I woke up, then I brushed my teeth' can be translated to 'D'abord je me suis réveillé, alors je me suis brossé les dents' in French. However, 'alors' can also mean 'so' in certain contexts.
Example sentences with alors →après
after
The French word 'après' is used in the same context as the English word 'after'. It can be used both in term of time, like in 'after lunch' which translates to 'après déjeuner', and order, like in 'after me' which translates to 'après moi'. It's a very common word in French and is used frequently in conversations and writings.
Example sentences with après →assez
enough
The French word 'assez' is used similarly to 'enough' in English. It primarily functions as an adverb and occasionally as an adjective, depending on the context. For example, 'J'ai assez mangé' translates to 'I have eaten enough'. It can also express the adequacy of a quantity or degree, such as in 'Elle est assez grande', meaning 'She is tall enough'.
Example sentences with assez →au lieu
instead
The French word 'au lieu' is used in sentences in a similar manner to the English word 'instead'. It is typically used to indicate a substitute or alternative event happening in place of another. For example, 'Je vais prendre du thé au lieu de café' translates to 'I will have tea instead of coffee'.
Example sentences with au lieu →aujourd'hui
today
The French equivalent for the English word 'today' is 'aujourd'hui'. It is used in the same context to refer to the current day. For example, 'Je vais à la plage aujourd'hui' translates to 'I am going to the beach today'. This word is typically used in everyday conversation and written language.
Example sentences with aujourd'hui →aussi
also
The word 'aussi' in French is used in the same way as 'also' is used in English. It's typically utilized to add additional information in sentences. This word can be used anywhere in a sentence - either at the beginning or in the middle, according to the context.
Example sentences with aussi →autour
around
The French word 'autour' is used in a similar way to the English 'around'. It can indicate location or positioning surrounding something. For instance, 'autour de la maison' means 'around the house'. In addition, 'autour' can also be used to express the concept of approximate quantity or time, similar to the English usage of 'around'.
Example sentences with autour →avant
before
The French word 'avant' is used similarly to the English word 'before'. This can reference time, for example 'Avant le dîner' means 'before dinner'. It can also be used to denote ranking or position, like 'Je suis avant toi dans la file' meaning 'I am before you in line'.
Example sentences with avant →bien
well
In French, 'bien' is used in much the same way as 'well' is used in English. It is an adverb and can be used to qualify a verb, adjective, other adverb, or even an entire sentence. For instance, you can use 'bien' to say that you're doing well 'Je vais bien', something tastes good 'C'est bien', or to emphasize 'Très bien'. Note that, just like in English, it can serve a variety of roles depending on the context.
Example sentences with bien →bien que
though
In French, 'though' can be translated to 'bien que'. It is often used in French to introduce a subordinate clause, just like in English. It conveys a contrast or contradiction between two statements. For example, 'Je veux aller, bien que je sois fatigué' means 'I want to go, though I am tired'. It is important to note that 'bien que' is always followed by the subjunctive in French.
Example sentences with bien que →bientôt
soon
The French word 'bientôt' is equivalent to the English word 'soon'. It is an adverb frequently used to convey the imminent occurrence of an event or action. This word is generally used in future contexts, and it can be used at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence.
Example sentences with bientôt →ça
that
In French, the word 'ça' is used as a demonstrative pronoun, similar to how 'that' is used in English. It is utilized to refer to a specific object or item being mentioned previously, or close to the speaker. Remember it's often used in conversational speech rather than a formal one.
Example sentences with ça →ce soir
tonight
The phrase 'ce soir' directly translates to 'this evening' in English, but it is commonly used to mean 'tonight'. It is widely used in daily conversation in French-speaking countries and is appropriate to use in both casual and formal contexts.
Example sentences with ce soir →ceci
this
The French word 'ceci' is commonly used to refer to something that is close to the speaker. It's generally used in a similar context that 'this' would be used in English. Remember, in French, all nouns have a gender so 'ceci' should match the gender and number of the noun it is paired with.
Example sentences with ceci →cependant
however
The French word 'cependant' is equivalent to 'however' in English. It is usually used as a conjunction to join two contrasting ideas, similar in usage to 'but' and 'yet'. Just like 'however', 'cependant' marks a new idea that slightly contradicts or adds complexity to the preceding statement.
Example sentences with cependant →certainement
certainly
The word 'certainement' in French is an adverb that is used to affirm, confirm or assure something. It is equivalent to the English word 'certainly', and is typically used in a similar context. For example, when asked if they are coming to a party, a French speaker might respond with 'oui, certainement', or 'yes, certainly'. This confirms a positive response and provides a high degree of certainty.
Example sentences with certainement →clairement
clearly
The French word 'clairement' is used in a similar way as 'clearly' in English. It is an adverb and is commonly used to indicate something that is understood or seen easily, without any ambiguity or doubt. For example, 'Il voit clairement le problème' means 'He clearly sees the problem.'
Example sentences with clairement →comment
how
In French, 'comment' is used to ask 'how' in any situation. It is an adverb that inquires about the manner, way or means by which something takes place. It can be used in interrogative sentences, employ in indirect questions or often used rhetorically.
Example sentences with comment →complètement
completely
The French word 'complètement' is an adverb, representing a full measure or degree of an action, similar to 'entirely' or 'wholly'. It can be used in a similar context as the English 'completely'. For example, 'Je suis complètement d'accord.' means 'I completely agree.'
Example sentences with complètement →court
short
The French word for 'short' is 'court'. It's used in the same context as in English, to describe the length of something that is less than average or less than expected. For instance, if a piece of material is not as long as it normally would be, one would describe it as 'court'.
Example sentences with court →de toute façon
anyway
The French word 'de toute façon' is used in the same context as 'anyway' in English, often to indicate a slight change in conversation topic or a transition between ideas. It is synonymous with 'in any case' or 'regardless'. Despite slight variations, the sentiment remains the same.
Example sentences with de toute façon →déjà
already
The French word 'déjà' translates to 'already' in English. It is used in the same context and format as 'already' is used in English sentences. For instance, it is used to refer to actions that occurred before now or sooner than expected. Example- Vous avez déjà mangé? meaning Have you eaten already?
Example sentences with déjà →demi
half
The French word for 'half' is 'demi'. It is used in the same context as in English. It can be used to signify half of a quantity or amount. In all cases, it always precedes the noun it modifies in a sentence.
Example sentences with demi →depuis
since
The French word 'depuis' is used in essentially the same way as 'since' is used in English. It can refer to the time that has passed since an event took place or it can represent the cause of an event. For example, ‘Je suis ici depuis mardi’ means 'I have been here since Tuesday.' However, unlike in English, 'depuis' can also be used to describe an action that has been happening continuously since a certain point, as in 'Je travaille depuis ce matin', meaning 'I have been working since this morning.'
Example sentences with depuis →dernier
last
The French word for 'last' is 'dernier'. It can be used to refer to the final person, item, or time something happens, similar to the usage in English. Remember, in French, adjective placement usually comes after the noun, unlike in English. However, 'dernier' can be used before or after a noun.
Example sentences with dernier →derrière
behind
The French translation for 'behind' is 'derrière'. It is used in the same contexts as in English, indicating something located at the back of, or to the rear of something else. It can be used literally or figuratively. For example, 'Je suis derrière toi' means 'I am behind you'.
Example sentences with derrière →