i've recently encountered an interesting quandary that has been driving
me up the wall ever since i started trying to solve it.
the word "cowardly": what is it? all the dictionaries say
it is an adjective AND an adverb, but all evidence points to only
adjective. A few examples:
to act cowardly is correct, but in that case "cowardly" is a predicate
adjective. it's describing you, by way of the linking verb "act"
to run cowardly is wrong, so it can't be used as an adjective in the direct sense.
take the synonym of cowardly, pusillanimous, and put it in the same sentences
to act pusillanimous- "pusillanimous" is obviously not an adverb. it is not in any use.
to run pusillanimous- this is wrong as well
same with any other -ly adjective. take friendly, for instance.
you can act friendly, but you can't shake someone's hand
friendly. you can't greet someone friendly. friendly is
obviously not an adverb.
why, then, is cowardly an adverb? according to merriam-webster online :
Main Entry:
1cow·ard·ly
Pronunciation:
-lE
Function:
adverb
: in a cowardly manner
THERE IS NO VERB IN THAT EXAMPLE. how can an adverb modify a verb
that isn't there? that example right there is enough to put me
off merriam-webster for life.