Feel badly about something!

[Tom]

Hi

We feel bad about something. Could we also feel badly about something?

Tom

[Alan]

Hi Tom,

Feel bad is the usual expression. Badly is usually used in its adverbial capacity as in:

The business is doing very badly or Badly hurt/wounded and so on.

Alan
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[Yankee]

Hi Tom

I think it is safe to say that all grammar books will advise you to use the adjective bad in a sentence such as "We feel bad".

Now, I can't speak for the UK, but I can tell you that more than just a handful of people in the US would say "I feel badly" and mean exactly the same thing as the people who say "I feel bad". Not everyone says badly instead of bad, but the "I feel badly" group includes educated people and even some well-known writers.

Grammarians have been up in arms about this usage of badly for years, yet the usage persists.


You may also hear "I feel poorly", but oddly enough, poorly has been granted adjective status, so the grammarians don't complain about that one. ;)

The word well can also be used as an adjective:
"I feel well."

In both cases (poorly and well), you'd be referring to your health rather than emotional state.

Amy
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Tom]

Many, many thanks, Alan and Amy

If I am not mistaken:

One feels well ( after an illness)
One feels good (after a cup of tea or a party etc)

Do we agree?

Tom

[Yankee]

.
That sounds good, Tom. ;)

Amy
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln