Rule: after to be, to feel, to taste, to look, to seem, to sound there should...

[Natasha81]

Hi there,

One more from me.When I was a student we had to follow this rule: after to be, to feel, to taste, to look, to seem, to sound there should be an adjective not an adverb , with the exception feel/look well.However, I have come across "feel so strongly about" that it makes me doubt my knowledge. According to the rule it should be "I feel strong (about)", shouldn't it?Please,help me:):) Thank you in advance.

[Milanya]

You use an adjective (not an adverb) after stative verbs (to be, to feel, to taste, to look, to seem, to sound, etc.), but some verbs can be both stative and dynamic depending on context.
Both "to feel strong" and "to feel strongly" are correct, they just have different meanings.

I feel strong - I feel that I am strong
I feel strongly about — I have a strong feeling about it.
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con·text - The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning.

[Natasha81]

I knew there were some double orientation verbs, but I did not know TO Feel was one of them. I could understand the diffrence in meaning, however, I just did not know it could by used with an adverb; like I feel so beautiful-I feel that I am beautiful, and I feel good:):) would you say I feel beautifully when you want to say I feel good?? or miserably?? when you feel bad or how about feel badly(if things go wrong) if an adverb is possible?The That is what made me confused. Than you.

[Milanya]

I do not know all the rules. But...
I feel good about it - I have a good feeling about it.
I feel well - I am not sick.
I feel bad when something goes wrond.
I feel badly when there is something wrong with my sense of touch.
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con·text - The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning.

[Natasha81]

Hi again, thank you very much for your reply. Yesterday I went through a few dictionaries and here is what I found (not necessarily it is right). The verb "feel" does require an adjective except for "To feel well/unwell" when you speal about health and"To feel strongly or keenly" as it means to be convinced/disapprove of something, so it is a set phrase, all other cases require an adjective. But as I said before it might be wrong again. At least to feel strongly does exist.:):):) and that was my original question.
Thanks once again,
Natasha.

[Matthieuxmillion]

Hello, Natasha...Remember, in English there are so so many exceptions, although perhaps not as many as in Russian (Slava Bog!), and I have heard the verb "feel" used without either an adjective or an adverb, and such usage was correct, indeed, as the situation was odd but not impossible: that of a person regaining their sense of touch in their fingers during a medical examination. "Yes, doctor! I feel!" This was summarily followed by something along the lines of, "I can really feel my fingers," and then her smile, tears, and happiness which filled the room...

I guess it's about being able to feel v obshee (in general), as in "now it's working," versus feeling a certain way or other.

Hope that helps shed some light on the subject a bit.

~Matthieux
Moscow, Russia

[Alan]

Hi,

It really boils down to what you want to say whether you choose an adjective or an adverb. If your verb describes the state, it will need an adjective. If your verb expresses an action, it needs an adverb. Why make complications?

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Kitosdad]

So simple an explanation! Well done " The Boss." :) :)

Bill.
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Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.