I need help with the adjective bien et bon.
How do you know when to use what in a sentance.
For Example:
Would it be.
Maire danse bonne.
or
Marie danse bien.
How can I tell the difference.
Bonne/bon is an adjective meaning "good." Bien is an adverb meaning "well."
Since bonne/bien modifies a verb (danse), you need to use the adverb, bien. Marie danse bien.
Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. Here is more information on the adjective and the adverb.
Most adjectives follow the noun modified, except the forms of bon, bonne, bons, bonnes usually precede the noun modified. Just as in English the forms are irregular (good, better, best) here they are in French for the comparative (better) and superlative (best): meilleur/meilleure, etc. and le meilleur, (the best) etc.
Most adverbs follow the noun modified, as in the example" Marie danse bien. (Marie dances well.) The forms are: bien (well), mieux (better) and le mieux (the best.)
To determine whether to use "bien" or "bonne/bon" in a sentence, you need to understand the difference between adverbs and adjectives and how they modify verbs.
"Bonne" and "bon" are adjectives that mean "good" in English. They are used to describe the quality or characteristic of a noun. For example:
- "La cuisine est bonne" (The food is good)
- "La fille est bonne" (The girl is good)
On the other hand, "bien" is an adverb that means "well" in English. It is used to modify a verb, indicating how an action is performed. For example:
- "Il parle bien français" (He speaks French well)
- "Elle danse bien" (She dances well)
In your example, "Marie danse bien" is the correct usage. Here, "bien" describes how Marie dances, indicating that she dances well.
If you were to use the adjective, it would be grammatically incorrect. "Maire danse bonne" translates to "Marie dances good," which does not properly convey the intended meaning.
To determine whether to use "bonne/bon" or "bien" in a sentence, identify whether you are describing the noun or the action. If you are describing the quality of the noun, use "bonne/bon" as an adjective. If you are describing how the action is performed, use "bien" as an adverb. Adding "e" at the end of "belle" and "bonne" is for feminine description only.