Booher's Rules of Business Grammar - Dianna Booher 2009
“She did things different”
Adjective and adverb attitudes
Adjectives tell more about nouns and pronouns. These describing words limit or expand the meaning of the nouns or pronouns they surround. Examples:
The late March report
Those ugly, torn chairs in the lobby
That bulk-volume contract signed last week
His manipulative manager working in the back office
Adverbs tell more about verbs, adverbs, adjectives, and sometimes the whole sentence.
He resigned quickly after they discovered the fraud. (describes the verb resigned.)
The competition is so much stronger than it was last season. (So describes the adverb much; much describes the adjective stronger.)
He found it very difficult to do a good job. (describes the adjective difficult.)
Frankly, I don’t care who wins the contract. (describes the entire sentence.)
Sometimes whether you select the adjective or the adverb form of a word dictates the entire meaning of the sentence—as you’ll see in this next section.
36. “She did things different”
ADJECTIVES MODIFYING VERBS—A NO-NO
Pardon my disputing your word, but she didn’t—do things different, that is. She may have done them differently. Most people do things differently, so I wouldn’t want to bet against you on that.
Adverbs tell more about verbs (and sometimes about adverbs and adjectives, and occasionally about the whole sentence).
As a reminder, adjectives tell more about nouns and pronouns.
The rosebush grew tall. (Tall is an adjective—tells more about the noun rosebush.)
The rosebush grew quickly. (Quickly is an adverb—tells more about the verb grew.)
The manager speaks harshly. (Harshly is an adverb—tells more about the verb speaks.)
The manager’s tone is harsh. (Harsh is an adjective—tells more about a noun, the manager’s tone.)
The employee is productive. (Productive is an adjective—tells about the noun employee.)
The employee works productively. (Productively is an adverb—tells about the verb works)
The most common mix-ups happen when adjectives collide with verbs. That is, people mistakenly use the adjective form of a word (leave off the —ly) when they need an adverb.
Incorrect:
This product sells quick when the price is right.
The manager spoke real candid about his ambitions for the future.
Dilbert organized the proposal brilliant for this competitive situation.
He restructured the department careful so as not to upset people.
He invested his money cautious.
The following sentences are correct, with adverbs describing the verbs:
Correct:
The product sells quickly when the price is right. (how it sells)
The manager spoke real candidly about his ambitions for the future. (how he spoke)
Percival organized the proposal brilliantly for this competitive situation. (how he organized)
Pongo restructured the department carefully so as not to upset people. (how he restructured)
He invested his money cautiously. (how he invested)
The manager is candid, but she speaks candidly. The proposal may be brilliant, but it’s organized brilliantly. Pongo may have been careful, but he restructured carefully. The difference comes down to what you’re describing—the person/thing or the action.
Add —ly on descriptors telling more about the verb, and you’ll solve 95 percent of the adverb errors. Run quickly. Approve knowingly. Engaged single-handedly. Negotiated confidently. Judged fairly. Reported objectively. Chatted aimlessly. Pushed relentlessly. Managed faithfully. Fired fearlessly. Hired enthusiastically. Scored triumphantly.
Memory tip
If the descriptor refers to the action (verb) rather than the person/thing, add the —ly.