LoginBad vs. Badly
Why do we use 'bad' in some contexts and 'badly' in some others? Well, I'm here to answer your question. Come with me.
What Is Their Main Difference?
Both of these words have the same meaning. However, they have different parts of speech. 'Bad' is mainly an adjective, whereas 'badly' is an adverb.
Differences
In formal English, 'bad' is an adjective. 'Bad' shows the terrible condition of something/someone. However, in informal, spoken English, native speakers tend to use 'bad' as an adverb of manner. Below, we have provided some examples for you:
Cruella has always been a
Can't you think of something
Warning!
Note that 'bad' can come both before a noun and after it, even after a linking verb. Look:
She feels
'Badly' is an adverb of manner, indicating that something/someone is in a terrible condition. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Check out the following examples:
I can see she has performed
The governor reacted
Similarities
They refer to the terrible condition of something/someone. Look:
How
I treated her
Are They Interchangeable?
Although both have the same meanings, we cannot use them interchangeably. 'Bad' is an adjective, whereas, 'badly' is an adverb. Compare:
✓ Oh my God! How
X Oh my God! How
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