English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
CONFUSING -LY ADJECTIVES
My boss ~behaves so motherly~ (nonstandard).
My boss is *so motherly* (adjectives).
Note that when -ly is added to nouns, it generates an adjective (not and adverb):
Mother (noun) + ly= motherly (adjective)
Gentleman (noun) + ly= gentlemanly (adjective).
Note that adjectives do not qualify verbs; they qualify nouns. So,
How does she behave?
She behaves motherly. ❌
How is she?
She is motherly. ✅
GAB
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