How do I revise Grammar – AS Level: Adverbs for WJEC A-Level?

In translation tasks, ensure adverb placement reflects natural French word order, especially between the auxiliary and past participle in compound tenses

What exam tips are there for Grammar – AS Level: Adverbs? (2)

Memorise common irregular adverbs, as they are frequently tested in gap-fill and transformation exercises

What exam tips are there for Grammar – AS Level: Adverbs? (3)

Use a variety of adverbs in writing tasks to demonstrate range and precision, but avoid overuse disrupting sentence flow

What mistakes should I avoid in Grammar – AS Level: Adverbs?

Confusing the formation of adverbs from adjectives ending in -ent/-ant (e.g., using -emment instead of -amment)

What are common errors in Grammar – AS Level: Adverbs exams? (2)

Misplacing adverbs in compound tenses, such as placing an adverb after the past participle instead of before

Grammar – AS Level: Adverbs

WJEC

A-Level

This subtopic covers the formation and use of adverbs in French, essential for adding detail to actions and modifying adjectives or other adverbs. Students learn to derive adverbs from adjectives, including irregular forms, and master their placement within sentences to express time, manner, and frequency. Mastery enables more sophisticated expression in both written and spoken French, crucial for achieving high marks in grammar-focused assessments.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

Adverbs are essential components of French grammar that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing additional information about how, when, where, or to what extent an action occurs. At AS Level (WJEC), you will build on GCSE knowledge to master the formation, placement, and usage of adverbs in more complex sentences. This includes understanding regular and irregular adverb formation, comparative and superlative forms, and the nuances of using adverbs to express time, place, manner, and degree. Mastery of adverbs is crucial for achieving higher marks in both written and spoken French, as they add precision and sophistication to your language.

In the WJEC A-Level French specification, adverbs are assessed across all four skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. You will encounter them in authentic texts and audio materials, and you will be expected to use them accurately in your own writing and speech. A strong grasp of adverbs allows you to vary sentence structure, avoid repetition, and convey subtle meanings—key skills for achieving top grades. Moreover, adverbs are integral to forming complex sentences, which are rewarded in the 'Quality of Language' marking criteria.

This topic also connects to other grammar areas, such as adjective agreement (since many adverbs derive from adjectives) and sentence structure (adverb placement can affect meaning). By understanding adverbs thoroughly, you will improve your overall fluency and accuracy, making your French sound more natural and sophisticated. This guide will help you avoid common pitfalls and apply examiner-approved strategies to maximise your marks.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award credit for accurate spelling of adverbs, including accent placement (e.g., énormément)
Credit responses that demonstrate correct inversion of adverbs with pronouns in compound tenses
Look for correct agreement of adverbs in comparative constructions (e.g., aussi rapidement que)
Reward use of irregular adverbs (e.g., bien, mal) in appropriate contexts
Assess understanding of adverb placement affecting meaning in translation tasks

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award credit for accurate spelling of adverbs, including accent placement (e.g., énormément)
Credit responses that demonstrate correct inversion of adverbs with pronouns in compound tenses
Look for correct agreement of adverbs in comparative constructions (e.g., aussi rapidement que)
Reward use of irregular adverbs (e.g., bien, mal) in appropriate contexts
Assess understanding of adverb placement affecting meaning in translation tasks

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡In translation tasks, ensure adverb placement reflects natural French word order, especially between the auxiliary and past participle in compound tenses
💡Memorise common irregular adverbs, as they are frequently tested in gap-fill and transformation exercises
💡Use a variety of adverbs in writing tasks to demonstrate range and precision, but avoid overuse disrupting sentence flow
💡Check adverb formation carefully when derived from adjectives ending in a vowel; many retain the final -e (e.g., poli → poliment)

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing the formation of adverbs from adjectives ending in -ent/-ant (e.g., using -emment instead of -amment)
Misplacing adverbs in compound tenses, such as placing an adverb after the past participle instead of before
Overgeneralising the -ment rule to all adjectives, forgetting irregular forms like vite
Incorrectly forming comparative adverbs (e.g., plus bon instead of mieux)

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Adverb formation from adjectives

Irregular adverbs

Position of adverbs in a sentence

Comparative and superlative adverbs

Adverbs of quantity and frequency

Adverbial phrases

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Use

Apply

Demonstrate

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Grammar – AS Level: Adverbs

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC A-Level French

A2 Unit 3: Speaking (Independent Research Project)

A2 Unit 4: Listening, Reading and Translation

A2 Unit 5: Critical and Analytical Response in Writing (Literary Work)

A2 Units

Grammar – AS Level: Adverbs

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I form adverbs in French?

Where do I place adverbs in a French sentence?

What is the difference between 'bien' and 'bon'?

How do I form comparative and superlative adverbs?

Can adjectives be used as adverbs in French?

What are common mistakes with adverbs in French exams?

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC A-Level French

A2 Unit 3: Speaking (Independent Research Project)

A2 Unit 4: Listening, Reading and Translation

A2 Unit 5: Critical and Analytical Response in Writing (Literary Work)

A2 Units