2. The Spanish Adverbial Suffix: -mente
-mente is the most common Spanish suffix.
It is used to create adverbs from adjectives, much
like -ly is used in English.
In English, adverbs can be created from many
adjectives by adding "-ly" at the end.
3. Adverbial Suffix Spelling Rules
The basic rule is that the suffix -mente is
added to the end of the feminine singular
form of the adjective.
Example:
Basic adjective: nuevo (new)
Singular feminine form: nueva
Adverb: nuevamente (newly)
4. Spelling Rules Cont..
If an adjective has an accent mark, the
corresponding adverb retains the accent
mark, even though the spoken emphasis
likely will be on the next-to-last syllable.
Example:
Basic adjective: rápido (rapid)
Singular feminine form: rápida
Adverb: rápidamente (rapidly)
5. Spelling Rules Cont..
When two or more adverbs are used in a
series, the -mente suffix is dropped from
all but the last adverb. Examples:
Habla lenta y claramente. She speaks slowly
and clearly.
Anda cuidada, dificultosa y pacientemente.
He walks carefully, difficultly and patiently.
