We didn't do bad? or We didn't do badly?

Question

Many people get confused between bad and badly. Recently, for example, a reader asked which of these two sentences was correct:

1. We didn’t do too bad!
2. We didn’t do too badly!

Answer

According to grammarians, bad is an adjective that should be used to describe nouns and pronouns, and badly is an adverb that should be used to describe verbs. In the example above, the verb do is being described; therefore badly is correct (sentence 2). In sentence 3 below, the noun teacher is being described; therefore bad is correct.

3. She’s not a bad teacher.

The confusing part is that there is a category of verbs, called “linking verbs,” that seems to break the rule. They are called "linking verbs" because instead of naming the action (like do, run, and think) performed by the subject, they link the subject – a noun – to a descriptive word. Be, look, feel, see, and appear are all linking verbs. After these verbs, use adjectives like bad, as shown in the two examples below.

4. If your grades are bad, you might need to take the course again. (bad is an adjective that describes the noun grades)
5. Mike didn’t look bad, but he had a high fever. (bad is an adjective that describes the noun Mike)

Finally, be aware that in everyday language, people often break this rule and use bad with non-linking verbs. Here is an example I found today on the Web:

6. Why do I do bad on tests when I feel ready for them? [bad describes the verb do]

I don't recommend this, however, if you want to sound educated - especially in writing. Using bad to describe a verb can make a bad impression!

I hope this helps.