What's the Difference Between 'Bad' and 'Badly'?

In this blog post we look at when to use bad and when to use badly.

'Bad' or 'Badly'?

"Bad" and "badly" are often used to describe something or someone in a negative way. However, they are used slightly differently in sentences.

"Bad" is an adjective that describes a noun or pronoun. It's used to express that something or someone is unpleasant, undesirable, or of poor quality.

"Badly" is an adverb that describes a verb, adjective, or other adverb. It's used to express that something is done poorly or in a negative way.

So, in short, "bad" describes a noun or pronoun, and "badly" describes a verb, adjective, or adverb.

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between "bad" and "badly":

  • The weather was bad today. (The adjective "bad" describes the noun "weather.")

  • She has a bad cold. (The adjective "bad" describes the noun "cold.")

  • The movie was bad. (The adjective "bad" describes the noun "movie.")

  • I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I feel badly about what happened. (The adverb "badly" describes the verb "feel.")

  • The team played badly in the game. (The adverb "badly" describes the verb "played.")

  • She sings very badly. (The adverb "badly" describes the adverb "very.")

Examples of Bad in a Sentence

Here are ten sentences using the word "bad":

  1. The food tasted bad, so I couldn't eat it.

  2. He has a bad cold and can't come to work.

  3. The movie was bad, so we left halfway through.

  4. I had a bad day at school.

  5. The weather was bad, so we couldn't go hiking.

  6. She has a bad habit of procrastinating.

  7. The company's financial performance was bad last year.

  8. He gave a bad performance in the play.

  9. The road conditions were bad, so we had to drive slowly.

  10. She has a bad reputation for being dishonest.

Examples of Badly in a Sentence

Here are ten sentences using the word "badly":

  1. I feel badly about what happened.

  2. The team played badly in the game.

  3. She sings very badly.

  4. He was injured badly in the accident.

  5. The project was done badly and had to be redone.

  6. She was treated badly by her coworkers.

  7. The company's financial performance was doing badly before the CEO intervened.

  8. He played the piano badly and was asked to stop.

  9. The food was cooked badly and made everyone sick.

  10. She was badly in need of a vacation.


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Bad or Badly
Bad or Badly