Adverbs and where they go
CEFR A2 · part 2
edumaterial's parts within the level. The European framework does not subdivide them.
Futur proche or futur simpleChoosing between the two futures and forming the simple one, with its irregular stems…qui, que, où, dontChoosing the relative by its role, and using dont when the verb or noun takes de.meilleur or mieuxComparing with plus, moins and aussi, and choosing between meilleur, an adjective, and…Verbs with à, with de and with nothingKnowing which preposition each verb takes, including the ones that take none.Quantities: beaucoup de, trop de, assez dePutting bare de after any quantity, and knowing when the article does come back.Have just and am doingUsing venir de + infinitive for the just-past and être en train de for what is happening…The rule, in three lines
The adverb is built on the feminine adjective: lent → lente → lentement. And its place is after the conjugated verb, never between subject and verb. In the passé composé it goes between the auxiliary and the participle: il a beaucoup mangé.
The usual slip. Building it on the masculine —«lentment»— and placing it before the verb, which French does not allow.
Why it catches you out. English puts the adverb exactly where French forbids it — he always eats late — and that word order is the single most common mistake in this unit. The -ly form is no help either: French builds it on the feminine adjective.