In everyday conversation, you will often hear (and perhaps use) adjectives in place of adverbs. When you write in standard academic English, however, use adverbs to modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.

Using good and well, bad and badly

The modifiers good, well, bad, and badly cause problems for many writers because the distinctions between good and well and between bad and badly are often not observed in conversation. Problems also arise because well can function as either an adjective or an adverb. Good and bad are always adjectives, and both can be used after a linking verb. In formal writing, do not use them to modify a verb, an adjective, or an adverb; use well or badly instead.

The weather looks good today.

We had a bad night with the new baby.

Badly is an adverb and can modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Do not use it after a linking verb in formal writing; use bad instead.

In her first recital, the soprano sang badly.

As an adjective, well means “in good health”; as an adverb, it means “in a good manner” or “thoroughly.”

Using regional modifiers (right smart, wicked fun)

Most regions have certain characteristic adjectives and adverbs. Some of the most colorful are intensifiers, adverbs meaning very or absolutely. In parts of the South, for example, and particularly in Appalachia, you are likely to hear the following: He paid a right smart price for that car or She was plumb tuckered out. In New England, you might hear That party was wicked fun. In each case, the adverb (right, plumb, wicked) acts to intensify the meaning of the adjective (smart, tuckered out, fun).

As with all language, use regional adjectives and adverbs only when they are appropriate (29d). In writing about a family member in Minnesota, for example, you might well quote her, bringing midwestern expressions into your writing. For most academic writing, however, you should use academic English.