Troublesome Modifiers

Introduction

Ever been puzzled by whether to use "bad" or "badly," or caught in the conundrum of choosing between "good" and "well"? If so, you're not alone. These troublesome modifiers can trip up even seasoned writers. Whether you're a middle school student aiming to perfect your essays or an adult looking to polish your writing skills, understanding these tricky adjectives and adverbs is essential. Welcome to "Troublesome Modifiers," where we’ll unravel the mysteries behind these commonly misused words and help you write with confidence and clarity. Let's dive into the world of modifiers and make your sentences shine!

Bad and Badly

Bad is an adjective; it describes nouns and pronouns. Usually, bad follows a linking verb such as feel, look, taste, sound, and smell.

Badly is an adverb; it modifies verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.

TIP

You may remember that many adverbs end in –ly. Use the –ly ending of badly as a reminder that this word is an adverb.

ADJECTIVE

The recording sounds bad. [Bad follows the linking verb sounds.]

ADVERB

The sound system needs repairs badly. [Badly modifies the verb needs.]

NOTE

In standard, formal English, only the adjective form, bad, follows a linking verb. You may hear people using the expression feel badly. This usage is informal. In your formal writing and speaking, always use the adjective form, bad, after a linking verb.

INFORMAL

Thelma feels badly about the mistake. [Badly is an adverb; it should not follow the linking verb feels.]

FORMAL

Thelma feels bad about the mistake. [The adjective bad should follow the linking verb feels.]

Good and Well

Good is an adjective; it usually describes a noun or a pronoun.

Well may be used as an adjective or an adverb.

Avoid using good to modify a verb. Instead, use well as an adverb meaning “capably” or “satisfactorily.”

ADJECTIVE

His drum solo sounded good. [The adjective good follows the linking verb sounded and describes the noun solo.]

ADVERB

Does the drummer usually play well? [The adverb well modifies the verb phrase Does play.]

Feel good and feel well mean different things.

If you feel good, you feel happy or pleased.

If you feel well, you feel healthy.

EXAMPLES

The soccer team felt good about their victory. [The team felt pleased.]
Because of the fever, Janet does not feel well. [Janet does not feel healthy.]

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Real and Really

Real is an adjective; it is used to describe nouns and pronouns.

Really is an adverb meaning “truly” or “actually.”Really can be used to modify verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.

TIP

You may remember that many adverbs end in –ly. Use the –ly ending of really as a reminder that this word is an adverb.

ADJECTIVE

Is that a real autograph? [Real is an adjective and describes the noun autograph.]

ADVERB

Max gave Sandy a really beautiful charm for her bracelet. [Really is an adverb and modifies the adjective beautiful.]

NOTE

In informal situations, you may hear people using real as an adverb. It is best, however, to use the adverb really in your formal speaking and writing.

INFORMAL

Is Fredric real nervous about his solo?

FORMAL

Is Fredric really nervous about his solo? [The adverb really modifies the adjective nervous.]

Slow and Slowly

Slow can be used as an adjective or an adverb.

Slowly is used only as an adverb.

Usually, it is better to use slowly instead of slow when you need an adverb.

ADJECTIVE

At the prom, they danced to several slow songs. [Slow modifies the noun songs.]
The climb up the mountain was slow. [Slow follows the linking verb was and modifies the noun climb.]

ADVERB

At the prom, they danced slowly. [Slowly modifies the verb danced.]
We climbed slowly up the mountain. [Slowly modifies the verb climbed.]