Position of rapidement

Stuart B.C1Kwiziq community member

Position of rapidement

Can anyone explain why "rapidement" goes to the end of the sentence here. I placed it between "peux" and "regarder" as I thought adverbs went between an auxilliary/modal verb and the participle/infinitive. According to the solutions given this was the correct placing for "vite" but "rapidement" was placed at the end of the sentence. 

Asked 11 months ago
CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Stuart,

Placing "rapidement" between "peux" and "regarder" would work here. We've now added this possibility to the answers.

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Bonjour Stuart,

I cannot find a reference to back up my response, but writing  "I can look at the menu quickly"

Je peux regarder le menu rapidement, with this word order; is simply a matter of style.

Rapidement (adverb) can only refer to the verb, not the noun (menu).

If it were written je peux regarder rapidement le menu. To my eyes this would seem a rather odd structure.

I look forward to the input from other contributors.

Bonne journée

Jim

Nick H.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I believe that adverbs ending in 'ment' are an exception to the rule. They can be placed either between the auxiliary verb and the past participle or at the end; or indeed the beginning if they modify the sentence.

This lesson here touches on the subject: Position of French Adverbs - with compound tenses

Bonne continuation.

Nick

Stuart B. asked:

Position of rapidement

Can anyone explain why "rapidement" goes to the end of the sentence here. I placed it between "peux" and "regarder" as I thought adverbs went between an auxilliary/modal verb and the participle/infinitive. According to the solutions given this was the correct placing for "vite" but "rapidement" was placed at the end of the sentence. 

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