Question 1

How exactly do we get courageusement from the word for "courageous"?

Accepted Answer

To make an adverb (a word that describes how an action is done), you usually take the feminine form of the adjective and add -ment. The masculine adjective is courageux, its feminine form is courageuse, so adding -ment gives us courageusement (bravely).

Question 2

Why is courageusement placed before le match? In English, we often say "She finishes the match bravely."

Accepted Answer

In French, an adverb that modifies a verb usually goes right after the conjugated verb. Because it describes how she finishes, courageusement must sit directly after finit rather than at the end of the sentence.

Question 3

I sometimes mix up present tense verb endings. Why does finit end in a "t"?

Accepted Answer

Finir (to finish) is a regular -ir verb. To conjugate it for il, elle, or on in the present tense, you drop the -ir ending from the dictionary form and add -it.

Question 4

Wait, French just uses the English word match?

Accepted Answer

Yes! French borrows several sports and game terms directly from English. Like most borrowed words, it is treated as a masculine noun, which is why it takes le.

Elle finit courageusement le match.

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