Dec 12 2007
Do You Feel Bad or Badly?
Which of the following sentences is correct?
1. I feel badly.
2. I feel bad.
Number two is correct. Here’s the rule: “Badly” is used as an adverb (to describe a verb). “Bad” is used as an adjective (to describe a noun).
So what going on? “Feel” is a verb, right? Right. So it should be “I feel badly,” right?
Wrong.
Once again, the Nazi war criminals who make up the rules decided to torture us with another annoying exception. Here it is:
Use the adjective “bad” (not the adverb “badly”) after the verbs “feel” and “look.”
So don’t make yourself look bad by getting this wrong. I feel bad the rules are so bizarre, but that’s the way it is. Things could be worse: you could be hurt badly by tripping over a dangling participle.
