why does everyone persist in dropping the "ly" from every adverb lately? for example, i was walking to the car this morning and saw a truck from a large local dairy drive buy. it had a huge sign on the side that said something like, "Act Natural. Drink Local."
now, everyone is looking to, "eat local," when, a few years ago, we were asked, properly, to "think globally, act locally." i totally blame apple for this phenonemon.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
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5 comments:
the "local" is an adjective for another noun that is not included.
The "act locally" is telling you to do the verb in your current area, the "drink local" isn't telling you to drink in the area, but drink things from that area. Drink local [milk], eat local [vegetables].
Jesus Christ, Pierce! Why must you talk sense when internet grammar freaks want to complain?
but act natural still doesn't make sense...
It's correct to use an adjective after "act," as in "act happy" (not "act happily"). Linking verbs take adjectives. "Act" is not always a linking verb, but here it is. It's the same construction as "I feel bad" -- NOT the abomination of "I feel badly" (unless you've burnt your fingertips on the stove).
My husband and I have contemplated forming a society "for the preservation and protection of the adverb." I sometimes take a pen around with me and add 'em in to signs and posters.
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