Asked by Kelley

I am confused on the use of good, well; real, really; bad, badly.

Cats can see good/well in the dark.
I think well because it describes how they see(an adverb)

After the storm the pier was damaged bad/badly.
I think badly because I tells how it was damaged ( an adverb)
Answered by Ms. Sue
Yay! Both are right.
Answered by Writeacher
I agree with both your choices.
Answered by Kelley
How about these?

I was real/really pleased to get your invitation.

Really because it describes how pleased I was?

Sylvia looks good/well in her mermaid costume.

Well because it describes how she looks.
Answered by Ms. Sue
The first is right.

The second should be "good" because "looks" is a linking verb in this sentence. "Good" is a predicate adjective describing "Sylvia."


Answered by Writeacher
The first one is correct.

The second one isn't.

If you say "she looks well" then you mean she can see just fine.
If you say "she looks good" then you mean she is not ugly!!

Same with the verb "smell" --
If you say "the dog smells badly" you mean his sense of smell is off.
If you say "the dog smells bad" you mean he stinks and needs a bath.
Answered by Kelley
One more,
In the 1830s the Cherokees were treated very bad/badly.

Badly describing how they were treated?
Answered by Ms. Sue
Right.