Badly means done poorly or with strong need; use it to describe negative outcomes or intense desires.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Done poorly or without success.
- Used to show a strong need or desire.
- Common in everyday speech and writing.
Overview
The word 'badly' is an adverb that describes how an action is performed. It primarily indicates that something is done poorly, incorrectly, or with a lack of skill or success. For instance, if someone 'sings badly,' it means their singing is not good. This usage is quite common in everyday conversation to express dissatisfaction or a negative assessment of a performance or outcome.
Beyond describing poor quality, 'badly' also functions as an intensifier, similar to 'very much,' when expressing a strong need or desire. For example, 'I need this job badly' means 'I really, really need this job.' This secondary meaning adds a layer of intensity to the verb it modifies, highlighting the urgency or importance of the situation. It's important to distinguish between these two main uses: describing a negative quality versus expressing a strong need.
Usage patterns for 'badly' are generally informal to neutral. It is frequently used in spoken English in daily life, such as when discussing personal experiences, opinions about events, or expressing needs. In written English, it appears in informal writing like personal emails or social media posts, and also in more formal contexts when describing a negative outcome or a strong requirement, such as in news reports or business communications. For example, a news report might state that a company performed 'badly' in the stock market, or a job application might mention needing the position 'badly.' In academic contexts, it might be used to describe experimental results that did not meet expectations or to express a strong hypothesis.
Common contexts include discussing performance in school or work ('He did badly on the test'), describing health ('She is feeling badly'), or expressing personal desires ('He wants to travel badly'). It's a versatile word that can be applied to a wide range of situations, from simple observations to strong expressions of emotion or need.
Examples
He plays the piano badly.
informalIl joue mal du piano.
The economy performed badly last year.
businessL'économie a mal performé l'année dernière.
I need to finish this report badly.
informalJ'ai vraiment besoin de finir ce rapport.
She was badly injured in the accident.
formalElle a été gravement blessée dans l'accident.
The team needs a win badly.
everydayL'équipe a désespérément besoin d'une victoire.
The movie was badly made.
informalLe film était mal fait.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
sleep badly
mal dormir
miss badly
manquer beaucoup
Often Confused With
'Bad' is an adjective, describing a noun (e.g., 'a bad day'). 'Badly' is an adverb, describing a verb, adjective, or another adverb (e.g., 'he played badly').
'Well' is the adverbial counterpart to 'good' and means in a good manner. 'Badly' means in a bad manner. They are antonyms in their adverbial forms.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
When used to describe performance or quality, 'badly' indicates a negative outcome. When used to express desire or need, it acts as an intensifier, meaning 'very much' or 'greatly.' Be mindful of the context to understand the intended meaning.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 'badly' with 'bad.' Remember that 'badly' (adverb) modifies verbs, while 'bad' (adjective) modifies nouns. Also, while 'feel badly' is common colloquially, 'feel bad' is generally considered more correct for expressing personal well-being.
Tips
Distinguish Meanings
Remember 'badly' can mean 'poorly' or 'very much.' Pay attention to the context to understand which meaning is intended.
Avoid 'Feel Badly'
While common in speech, 'feel badly' is often considered grammatically incorrect. Stick to 'feel bad' when describing your physical or emotional state.
Expressing Need
Using 'badly' to express strong need ('I need this badly') is a common and effective way to convey urgency in informal settings.
Word Origin
The word 'badly' originates from the Old English word 'bæddel,' meaning 'evil' or 'wicked,' evolving over time to its current adverbial form.
Cultural Context
In many cultures, expressing strong needs or desires openly can be seen differently. Using 'badly' to convey this intensity is common in English-speaking contexts but should be used appropriately depending on the social setting.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone playing a guitar so poorly that the strings are tangled – they are playing 'badly'!
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe main meaning of 'badly' is in a way that is not good, effective, or successful.
Yes, 'badly' can also be used to mean 'very much' when you strongly want or need something.
Yes, people sometimes say 'I feel badly' to mean they feel unwell or uncomfortable, although 'feel bad' is more common and generally preferred.
The opposite of 'badly' is 'well'.
'Badly' can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is very common in everyday spoken English.
Yes, for example: 'He needs a vacation badly.'
It's used to describe performance that is not good, like 'The team played badly in the second half.'
A common mistake is using 'badly' when 'bad' is needed, like 'I feel badly' instead of 'I feel bad.' However, this is becoming more accepted in informal speech.
'Badly' is an adverb.
Yes, for example, 'She was badly hurt by his words,' meaning emotionally wounded.
Test Yourself
The student performed ______ on the exam.
'Badly' is an adverb that modifies the verb 'performed' and indicates a poor performance.
What does 'badly' mean in this sentence?
In this context, 'badly' is used as an intensifier to show a strong desire or need.
weather / the / was / badly / today
This sentence uses 'badly' to describe the poor quality of the weather. However, it's more natural to say 'The weather was bad today'.
Score: /3
Summary
Badly means done poorly or with strong need; use it to describe negative outcomes or intense desires.
- Done poorly or without success.
- Used to show a strong need or desire.
- Common in everyday speech and writing.
Distinguish Meanings
Remember 'badly' can mean 'poorly' or 'very much.' Pay attention to the context to understand which meaning is intended.
Avoid 'Feel Badly'
While common in speech, 'feel badly' is often considered grammatically incorrect. Stick to 'feel bad' when describing your physical or emotional state.
Expressing Need
Using 'badly' to express strong need ('I need this badly') is a common and effective way to convey urgency in informal settings.
Examples
6 of 6He plays the piano badly.
Il joue mal du piano.
The economy performed badly last year.
L'économie a mal performé l'année dernière.
I need to finish this report badly.
J'ai vraiment besoin de finir ce rapport.
She was badly injured in the accident.
Elle a été gravement blessée dans l'accident.
The team needs a win badly.
L'équipe a désespérément besoin d'une victoire.
The movie was badly made.
Le film était mal fait.
Quick Quiz
She was ______ hurt in the car accident.
Correct!
The correct answer is: badly
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