What is an Adverb? Part 2
Some words can serve as both adjectives and adverbs.
Examples:
- He swung hard with a right hook. Here, hard serves as an adverb which modifies the verb swung.
- When he fell, his head hit the hard concrete. Here, hard is an adjective modifying the noun concrete.
Occasionally, some adverb-adjective pairs create problems for writers.
Good – Well
Good is an adjective, while well is an adverb.
The adjective good can modify only nouns and pronouns.
While the adverb well can modify only adjectives and verbs.
Samantha always cooks good omelets. The adjective good modifies the noun omelets.
Samantha always prepares omelets well. Here, the adverb well modifies the verb prepare.
Exception: Well can also be an adjective, but only in regards to a person’s health.
Eamon didn’t feel well after gorging on bacon lobster. Here, well is an adjective referring to the noun, Eamon’s health.
Bad – Badly
Remember, adverbs must follow or modify action verbs, while adjectives must follow non-action or linking verbs.
All the be verbs are linking or non-action verbs – be, been, being, am, is, was, are, were, – and as such, should be followed by an adjective.
Liora tested (bad? badly?) on her calculus exam.
Badly, since it follows the action verb tested.
Liora felt (bad? badly?) when she saw the starving kitten outside in the rain.
Here, felt is a linking verb, linking the noun, Liora, with what? Remember, since an adverb cannot modify a noun, we need an adjective. Liora felt bad when she….
