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 Mon Sep 10, 2007 23:07 pm Why can I not use "very kindly" in this case? |
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'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. |
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Conchita
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| Tue Sep 11, 2007 6:25 am Why can I not use "very kindly" in this case? |
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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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Yankee
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| Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:26 am Why can I not use "very kindly" in this case? |
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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.
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lost_soul
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| Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:15 pm Why can I not use "very kindly" in this case? |
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Right you are, Alex. 
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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Yankee
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lost_soul
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| Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:52 pm Why can I not use "very kindly" in this case? |
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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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Alan
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It is one of those expressions that run so much counter to Russian