Why can I not use "very kindly" in this case?

[Max]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #88 "Common English Errors (4)", question 9

Our nanny has always been ......... to us.

(a) very kindly
(b) kindly
(c) being kindly
(d) kind

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #88 "Common English Errors (4)", answer 9

Our nanny has always been kind to us.

Correct answer: (d) kind

Your answer was: incorrect
Our nanny has always been very kindly to us.
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Why can I not use "very kindly" in this case?

Thank you for our response, I like this site very much.

Max

[Conchita]

'Kind' is an adjective, which is what is needed in the test sentence.

'Kindly' is an adverb and could be used as follows: Our nanny has always treated us very kindly.

[Yankee]

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There is also a more old-fashioned usage of 'kindly' as an adjective. It would usually be used to describe a person's general nature or personality rather than how that person acts with specific people.

For example, you could say "Our nanny is a (very) kindly old woman."
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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

[Lost_Soul]

Just can't help mentioning this:
I don't take kindly to our nanny (means - I don't like her) - is an expression I've heard thousand times on TV.

[Yankee]

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Right you are, Alex. :D
The complete expression is "(not) take kindly (to)".
i.e. For this meaning, 'kindly' is always used with 'take', usually in a negative sentence and followed by 'to'.
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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

[Lost_Soul]

[Alan]

Hi LS,

Just another snippet - you can also say: 'Look kindly (up)on someone' when you suggest that you're not too severe or strict with them although they may have done something worng/made a mistake.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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