Question: Which sentence is grammatically correct?
a. I feel bad about leaving the dog outside all night in the thunderstorm.Before you read on, write your answer on the back of your left hand (Soulof..., you may write it on the back of your right). Now consider the following:
b. I feel badly about leaving the dog outside all night in the thunderstorm.
To say "I feel badly" could imply that there's something wrong with your sense of touch, as if you're in a dark room having trouble feeling your way around with numb fingers. Here's why:
"Badly" is an adverb, meaning that it modifies a verb (An adverb may also modify an adjective or another adverb. So when you say , "I feel badly," the adverb badly relates to the the action verb feel. Since the action verb feel can mean "to touch things," feeling badly can mean you're having trouble touching things.
As Grammar Girl relates: This is a problem with most of the verbs that describe senses such as taste and smell. Consider the obvious difference in the meanings of these two sentences:
I smell bad.So, let's get back to the original question about the dog you left out in the thunderstorm. Look at the back of your hand. If you wrote A, congratulations, you are correct. Have someone pat you on the back. In that sentence above, feel is used as a linking verb -- and bad is the predicate adjective (and not an adverb).
I smell badly.
When you say, “I smell badly,” badly is an adverb that modifies the verb smell. You're saying your sniffer isn't working, just like when you say you feel badly you're saying that your fingers aren't working. When you say, “I smell bad,” bad is an adjective, which means it modifies a noun. You're saying that you stink, just like when you say “I feel bad” you're saying that you are regretful or sad or ill or wicked.
The reason people often think they should say they feel badly is that after most other verbs it's correct to use the adverb. For example, if you gave a horrible speech you might say, “It went badly.” If a child threw a fit in a shopping mall, it would be correct to say, “She behaved badly.”
So, sorry to change the subject, but IF we sing the Ballad of Davy Crockett on Monday, will we have to sing it on our own or will there be music.....and do we have to sing solo?
ReplyDeleteJust wondering...:)
Re the ballad: solo, yes -- and without musical accompaniment unless it is supplied by you. For example, if you would like to strum along on the guitar or (better yet) banjo, be my guest; or, if you arrange for another student to accompany you (e.g., Pedro on mouth organ), that's fine, too.
ReplyDeletePedro on mouth organ...hmmn.....I'll consider that...ha ha! Not really!
ReplyDeleteOk, thanks that answers my questions.
I could acompany you on the nose flute if I were to by one in time. They are easy and fun to play.
ReplyDelete"by" versus "buy": "by" is a preposition, as in "Juli was accompanied by Larry on the nose flute."
ReplyDelete"Buy" is a verb as in "Buy a nose flute, Larry, so you can accompany Juli."
I've never heard of a "nose flute," but I would be pleased if you could introduce me to one!
My dad was interested to know that you knew what a nose flute was....so was I really!
ReplyDeleteIf you want to accompany me on the nose flute, Larry, feel free. It will make it harder for me probably, but very entertaining for the audience I'm sure. :)
I am sorry that I spelled "buy" wrong. My mental spell checker does not often pick up words that are spelled right but are the wrong ones. I need to work on that.
ReplyDeleteI was unable to get my hands on a nose flute so I will not be able to accompany you on one.
It was a shame.....I probably would have gotten the tune right if you'd been accompanying me...:\ Oh well!
ReplyDelete