Exceptions
French: AQA GCSE (2025 Exams), topic 6.6.2
Exceptions
Some adverbs are exceptions to the rule of just adding 'ment'.
Adjectives ending in 'ent' or 'ant'
- If an adjective ends in 'ent' or 'ant', then the 'nt' is replaced by 'mment' to form an adverb.
- Fréquent → fréquemment - frequently
- Apparent → apparemment - apparently
Adjectives ending in 'e'
- If an adjective ends in 'e', we change the 'e' to 'é' when forming the adverb.
- Uniforme → uniformément - uniformly
- Immense → immensément - immensely
Masculine adjectives ending in a vowel
- For masculine adjectives that end with a vowel, you don't need to take the feminine form - you simply add 'ment':
- Absolu → absolument (absolutely)
- Vrai → vraiment (really)
- Résolu → résolument (resolutely)
Gentil - kind
- 'Gentil' is completely irregular.
- The adverb for 'gentil' is 'gentiment' (kindly).
Test yourself on Exceptions
'Énorme' is an adjective in French meaning 'big'. What is it as an adverb in French?
'Absolu' is the French adjective for 'absolute'.
How do you say 'absolutely' in French?