Question

I feel ____ about his sick mother.
a. Bad
b. Badly

Answer 1

a

Answer 2

A.

Answer 3

Bad

Answer 4

Technically, you should choose the adverb, which is option b, badly. In British English, educated speech would use this choice.

But in American English, even educated speakers use adjectives as adverbs and choose option a, as the earlier responders indicate.

So that probably muddies the situation for you. But I'd say if you're learning American English, choose option a, bad; but you're learning British English, choose b, badly.

Answer 5

Hmm, I didn't know that.

Answer 6

What do you normally use @James?

Answer 7

In America, a: "I feel bad about his sick mother."

But in my native Australia or in England, definitely "I feel badly..."

Answer 8

Regardless of this example, what do you think about a view that says that American English tends to simplicity while British English tends more toward complicity?!
I'm not a native English speaker by the way, and I started learning English not a long time ago (British English), but the American Media probably had more influence on my English than my British English books.

Answer 9

lol. I say this as someone who makes mistakes in foreign languages as well: complicity is an hilarious mistake for the opposite of simplicity. Complexity is the word you're looking for.

Short answer to your question is no, I don't agree.

Answer 10

I hate when I make these mistakes, and I make them most of the time. Thanks for your answer anyways!