Plain English Part 62

_Really_ is the adverb form of the adjective _real_. You might have said:

I am really glad to know it.

But never use _real_ when you mean _very_ or _quite_ or _really_.

+We use the adjective _some_ many times when we should use the adverb _somewhat_.+ For example, we say:

I am some anxious to hear from him.

I was some tired after my trip.

What we intended to say was:

I am somewhat anxious to hear from him.

I was somewhat tired after my trip.

+Do not use _what for_ when you mean _why_.+ Do not say:

What did you do that for?

Or worse still,

What for did you do that?

Say:

Why did you do that?

+Do not use _worse_ in place of _more_.+ Do not say:

I want to go worse than I ever did.

Say:

I want to go _more_ than I ever did.

+Observe the distinction between the words _further_ and _farther_.+ Farther always refers to distance, or extent. For example:

He could go no farther that day.

We will go farther into the matter some other time.

Further means more. For example:

He would say nothing further in regard to the subject.

+Never use _good_ as an adverb+. _Good_ is always an adjective. _Well_ is the adverb form. _Good_ and _well_ are compared in the same way, _good_, _better_, _best_, and _well_, _better_, _best_. So _better_ and _best_ can be used either as adjectives or adverbs; but _good_ is always an adjective. Do not say, _He talks good_. Say, _He talks well_. Note that _ill_ is both an adjective and an adverb and that _illy_ is always incorrect.

Exercise 3

Correct the adverbs in the following sentences. All but two of these sentences are wrong.

1. Come quick, I need you.

2. The boy feels badly.

3. Give me that there pencil.

4. I am some hungry.

5. The people learn slow.

6. He never stopped for nothing.

7. What did you say that for?

8. This here machine won't run.

9. I make a mistake most every time.

10. Watch careful every word.

11. The man works good.

12. The tone sounds harsh.

13. I don't want no dinner.

14. I hope it comes real soon.

15. I want to learn worse than ever.

16. She looked lovely.

17. She smiled sweet.

18. He sees good for one so old.

19. She answered correct.

20. He won't say nothing about it.

21. I will be real glad to see you.

22. That tastes sweetly.

23. The man acted too hasty.

24. We had most reached home.

25. They ride too rapid.

DO NOT USE TOO MANY ADVERBS

+298.+ Like adjectives it is better to use adverbs sparingly. This is especially true of the adverbs used to intensify our meaning. Do not use the adverbs, _very_, _awfully_, etc., with every other word. It makes our speech sound like that of a gushing school girl, to whom everything is _very, awfully sweet_. More than that, it does not leave us any words to use when we really want to be intense in speech. Save these words until the right occasion comes to use them.

Exercise 4

Adverbs should always be placed where there can be no doubt as to what they are intended to modify. A mistake in placing the adverb in the sentence often alters the meaning of the sentence. Choose the right word in each of the following sentences:

1. He looked glad--gladly when I told him the news.

2. Slaves have always been treated harsh--harshly.

3. I prefer my eggs boiled soft--softly.

4. The lecturer was tolerable--tolerably well informed.

5. Speak slower--more slowly so I can understand you.

6. The evening bells sound sweet--sweetly.

7. The house appears comfortable--comfortably and pleasant--pleasantly.

8. If you will come quick--quickly you can hear the music.

9. I was exceeding--exceedingly glad to hear from you.

10. The bashful young man appeared very awkward--awkwardly.

11. The young lady looked beautiful--beautifully and she sang beautiful--beautifully.