bad / badly

The adjective after a linking verb versus the adverb after an ordinary verb.

After a linking verb, use bad: I feel bad, it looks bad. After an ordinary verb, use badly: He played badly. When feel is a linking verb, use feel bad.

Examples

Use I feel bad about the mistake. (linking verb; adjective)

Use The cut looks bad. (linking verb; adjective)

Use He slept badly. (ordinary verb; adverb)

Avoid I feel badly about the mistake. (linking verb; needs the adjective bad)

See also adjective / adverb after linking verbs.