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A2Grammar cheat sheet
Bon vs bien
High-priority A2 grammar concept for TEF/TCF preparation: Bon vs bien.
Quick rule
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or whole ideas; place short adverbs near the verb and longer ones where clarity is best.
Patterns to memorize
- short adverb: je comprends bien
- compound tense: j'ai déjà envoyé le document
- bon = adjective/noun quality; bien = adverb or general judgment
Where to use it
- Making descriptions more precise
- Improving writing flow
- Avoiding bon/bien and encore/toujours mistakes
High-value examples
Ce service fonctionne bien, mais il reste coûteux.
This service works well, but it remains expensive.
Bien modifies the verb.
J'ai déjà rempli le formulaire.
I have already filled out the form.
Déjà usually sits around the conjugated auxiliary.
Common mistakes
- Using bon to modify a verb
- Putting every adverb at the end of the sentence
- Confusing encore with toujours in time expressions
Mini drill
- Write 5 sentences with bien, déjà, souvent, encore, toujours.
- Rewrite 2 sentences in passé composé.
- Choose bon or bien in 5 examples.
Exam target
Use Bon vs bien in level-appropriate sentences.Recognize common errors and produce a corrected version.Apply the form in short exam-style writing.