When something is done badly, it means it's not done in a good way. Imagine you try to draw a cat, but it doesn't look like a cat at all – you drew it badly. It can also mean you want or need something very much. For example, if you are very hungry, you can say, "I badly need food."
When we use the word "badly," it often means doing something in a way that isn't good, effective, or successful. For example, if someone sings badly, it means their singing isn't pleasant to listen to.
However, "badly" can also be used to express a strong desire or need for something. For instance, if you say "I badly need a vacation," it means you really, really want a vacation. So, its meaning depends on the context of the sentence.
When we use the adverb "badly," we're often describing an action performed in an unsatisfactory or unsuccessful manner. For instance, if someone says they "sing badly," it implies their vocal performance lacks skill or tunefulness. However, "badly" also serves as an intensifier, conveying a strong degree of desire or need.
For example, if you "badly need a vacation," it signifies a profound and urgent desire for a break. It's crucial to discern the context to understand whether "badly" refers to poor quality or intense necessity. This dual function makes it a versatile, though sometimes ambiguous, word in English.
badly em 30 segundos
- Not good
- Poorly
- Very much (want/need)
§ Understanding "Badly"
The word "badly" is an adverb. This means it describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It tells us *how* something is done. "Badly" has two main meanings that are important for A1 level English learners:
- Meaning 1
- In a way that is not good, effective, or successful.
He sings badly.
The team played badly yesterday.
- Meaning 2
- 'Very much' when you want or need something a lot.
I want a coffee badly.
She needs help badly.
§ "Badly" with Verbs (Meaning 1: Not good)
When "badly" means 'not good', it usually comes after the verb it describes. This is a common position for adverbs of manner (adverbs that tell us *how* something is done).
- **Verb + Badly**
He writes badly.
The car runs badly sometimes.
§ "Badly" for Emphasis (Meaning 2: Very much)
When "badly" means 'very much', it also typically comes after the verb or the object of the verb. This usage expresses a strong desire or need.
- **Verb + Object + Badly**
I want that cake badly.
He needs water badly after running.
- **Verb + Badly (when there is no object, or the object is implied)**
I want to go home badly.
§ Common Phrases with "Badly"
You will often hear "badly" in certain phrases. Here are a few examples:
- **"Want badly"**: To desire something a lot.
I want to win badly.
- **"Need badly"**: To require something urgently.
She needs a break badly.
- **"Hurt badly"**: To be injured or feel pain intensely.
My leg hurts badly.
§ "Badly" with Adjectives (Less common for A1 but good to know)
While less common at the A1 level, "badly" can also describe some adjectives, often to mean 'very much' or 'severely'.
- **Badly damaged**
The old house was badly damaged in the storm.
- **Badly organized**
The event was badly organized.
§ No Special Prepositions
"Badly" does not usually take specific prepositions after it to change its meaning. Its position relative to the verb or adjective is key to understanding its role in the sentence.
By practicing these sentence structures, you will become more confident in using "badly" correctly in your English conversations and writing.
§ Where you actually hear this word
The word "badly" is a common adverb in English, and you'll encounter it in various everyday situations. Understanding how it's used in different contexts will greatly improve your comprehension and ability to communicate effectively. Let's explore some common environments where you're likely to hear "badly."
§ At Work
In a professional setting, "badly" is often used to describe performance, outcomes, or situations that are not satisfactory. It's a straightforward way to express a negative assessment.
- DEFINITION
- In a way that is not good, effective, or successful.
The presentation went badly.
Our team performed badly on the last project.
He was badly injured in the accident at the construction site.
§ At School
In educational environments, "badly" is frequently heard when discussing academic performance, behavior, or the outcome of tests and assignments.
- DEFINITION
- In a way that is not good, effective, or successful.
The student did badly on the exam.
He behaved badly during class today.
The school play was badly organized this year.
§ In the News
News reports often use "badly" to describe negative events, their impact, or the condition of people or things. It can convey a sense of severity or urgency.
- DEFINITION
- In a way that is not good, effective, or successful.
The economy has been performing badly.
Several people were badly affected by the flood.
The peace talks ended badly.
§ Expressing Strong Need or Desire
Beyond its negative connotation, "badly" also has a distinct usage where it means "very much." This is often used with verbs like 'want,' 'need,' or 'miss' to emphasize a strong feeling.
- DEFINITION
- It can also be used to mean 'very much' when you want or need something a lot.
I badly need a vacation.
She wants that job badly.
They miss their family badly.
By observing these varied contexts, you can see how "badly" plays a crucial role in conveying different shades of meaning in English communication. Pay attention to the verb it modifies to understand whether it implies poor quality or intense desire.
Remember that context is key to understanding the meaning of "badly."
Listen for the words that come before and after "badly" to grasp the full meaning.
Practice using "badly" in both its negative and intensifying senses to become more comfortable with its nuances.
§ Common Errors with 'Badly'
The word 'badly' is an adverb, which means it describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Many learners, especially at the A1 CEFR level, often confuse it with the adjective 'bad'. Understanding when to use an adverb versus an adjective is crucial for correct English usage.
- Mistake 1: Using 'bad' instead of 'badly' to describe an action
- This is a very common error. Remember that 'bad' describes a noun, while 'badly' describes a verb.
Incorrect: He plays tennis bad.
Correct: He plays tennis badly.
- Mistake 2: Confusing 'feel bad' with 'feel badly'
- When expressing emotions or physical states, we often use adjectives after verbs like 'feel', 'look', 'sound', 'smell', and 'taste'. In this context, 'feel bad' means to feel unwell or sad. 'Feel badly' would literally mean that your sense of touch is impaired, which is rarely what you intend.
Incorrect: I feel badly about the mistake.
Correct: I feel bad about the mistake.
§ Using 'Badly' for Emphasis ('Very Much')
Another area where 'badly' can be tricky is its use to mean 'very much' or 'a lot', often with verbs like 'want' or 'need'. While this usage is correct, it can sometimes be overused or sound informal. At A1, focus on mastering its primary meaning.
- Correct Usage: Wanting or Needing 'Very Much'
- When you use 'badly' in this sense, it usually follows the verb it modifies.
I want a new car badly.
She needs help badly with her homework.
§ Summary of Key Takeaways
To avoid common mistakes with 'badly', keep these points in mind:
- 'Badly' is an adverb and describes verbs.
- 'Bad' is an adjective and describes nouns.
- Use 'bad' when talking about how you feel emotionally or physically (e.g., 'I feel bad').
- 'Badly' can mean 'very much' or 'a lot', especially with 'want' or 'need'.
Practicing these distinctions will greatly improve your accuracy when using 'badly' and 'bad' in English.
How Formal Is It?
"The student performed poorly on the examination."
"He played badly in the game."
"I feel terrible about what happened."
"My drawing turned out not good."
"That movie was awful."
Gramática essencial
Adverbs like 'badly' modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing more information about how, when, where, or to what extent an action is performed.
He sings badly. (modifies the verb 'sings')
When 'badly' is used to mean 'very much' or 'a lot,' it often appears with verbs like 'want,' 'need,' or 'miss.'
I badly need a vacation. (meaning 'I very much need a vacation')
It's important not to confuse 'badly' (an adverb) with 'bad' (an adjective). 'Bad' describes nouns, while 'badly' describes verbs.
Incorrect: He feels bad about the mistake. (This is actually correct if 'bad' is describing his feeling, but often people misuse it to describe the action, where it should be 'badly' if it's describing the verb 'feels' in a non-linking verb sense.) Correct: He performs badly. (describes the verb 'performs')
When comparing how well actions are performed, we use 'worse' for the comparative and 'worst' for the superlative form of 'badly.'
He plays tennis badly, but his brother plays even worse. Of all the players, she played the worst.
Adverbs of manner, including 'badly,' typically come after the main verb or after the object if there is one.
He behaved badly at the party. (after the main verb 'behaved') She hit the ball badly. (after the object 'ball')
Exemplos por nível
He sings very badly.
Él canta muy mal.
Here, 'badly' describes how he sings.
The team played badly yesterday.
El equipo jugó mal ayer.
'Badly' tells us about the quality of their play.
I want that cake very badly.
Quiero mucho ese pastel.
In this case, 'badly' means 'very much' or 'a lot'.
She needs help badly.
Ella necesita ayuda urgentemente.
Here, 'badly' emphasizes the strong need for help.
The car was damaged badly in the accident.
El coche fue dañado gravemente en el accidente.
'Badly' describes the extent of the damage.
He cooks very badly.
Él cocina muy mal.
Again, 'badly' modifies the verb 'cooks'.
My leg hurts badly.
Me duele mucho la pierna.
'Badly' here expresses the intensity of the pain.
I want to go home badly now.
Quiero ir a casa urgentemente ahora.
This shows a strong desire to go home.
She sings quite badly, but she enjoys it.
Ella canta bastante mal, pero lo disfruta.
Here 'badly' modifies the verb 'sings', indicating the manner of singing.
The team played badly and lost the match.
El equipo jugó mal y perdió el partido.
Used to describe a poor performance in a sporting event.
He was badly injured in the accident.
Él resultó gravemente herido en el accidente.
'Badly' here means 'severely' and modifies the past participle 'injured'.
I need a holiday badly; I'm so tired.
Necesito mucho unas vacaciones; estoy tan cansado.
In this context, 'badly' means 'very much' or 'urgently'.
The project went badly from the start, with many problems.
El proyecto salió mal desde el principio, con muchos problemas.
Describes a process that was unsuccessful or problematic.
She reacted badly to the news, becoming very upset.
Ella reaccionó mal a la noticia, poniéndose muy molesta.
Indicates a negative or unfavorable reaction.
The children behaved very badly at the party.
Los niños se portaron muy mal en la fiesta.
Describes inappropriate or naughty behavior.
He wanted to win the competition so badly.
Él quería ganar la competición con muchas ganas (o con muchísimas ganas).
Emphasizes the intensity of his desire to win.
The old bridge was so badly damaged by the storm that it had to be closed for repairs.
The storm damaged the bridge severely.
Here, 'badly' modifies the past participle 'damaged', indicating the extent of the damage.
She wanted to win the competition so badly that she practiced for hours every day.
She had a very strong desire to win.
'Badly' is used here to intensify the verb 'wanted', meaning 'very much'.
He was badly injured in the accident and required immediate medical attention.
He sustained severe injuries.
Similar to the first example, 'badly' describes the severity of the injury.
The company performed badly in the last quarter, leading to a significant drop in profits.
The company's performance was poor.
'Badly' modifies the verb 'performed', indicating an unsatisfactory outcome.
They treated him so badly that he decided to resign from his job.
They behaved very poorly towards him.
'Badly' describes the manner in which he was treated, implying unkindness or injustice.
I need a long vacation so badly; I've been working non-stop for months.
I have a strong need for a vacation.
Again, 'badly' intensifies the verb 'need', signifying a strong desire or necessity.
The project was badly organized, resulting in many delays and budget overruns.
The project lacked proper organization.
'Badly' modifies the past participle 'organized', indicating poor planning.
She sings quite badly, but she enjoys it, and that's what matters.
Her singing ability is not very good.
'Badly' describes the quality of her singing, indicating a lack of skill.
The geopolitical ramifications of the trade dispute were felt globally, impacting market stability quite badly.
Global impact of trade dispute.
Using 'badly' to mean 'to a great extent' or 'severely' in a formal context.
Despite repeated attempts to mitigate the systemic risks, the financial institution performed badly in the stress tests, raising concerns among regulators.
Financial institution's poor performance in tests.
Using 'badly' to describe poor performance or an unsatisfactory outcome.
The renowned architect, known for his innovative designs, was said to have taken the critical reviews of his latest work rather badly, leading to a period of introspection.
Architect reacted poorly to reviews.
Using 'badly' to describe an adverse reaction to something, indicating emotional distress.
The emergent pathogen spread badly through the densely populated urban areas, necessitating an immediate and comprehensive public health response.
Pathogen spread widely and severely.
Using 'badly' to convey the severity and widespread nature of something undesirable.
I need to ascertain the veracity of these claims quite badly before presenting the findings to the board of directors, as the implications are significant.
Strong need to verify claims.
Using 'badly' to express a strong desire or urgent need for something, often informal but acceptable in a formal context when emphasizing urgency.
The nascent diplomatic efforts were hampered badly by the entrenched historical animosities between the two nations, rendering progress almost impossible.
Diplomatic efforts severely hindered.
Using 'badly' to indicate a significant negative impact or hindrance.
Her reputation, meticulously built over decades of ethical practice, suffered badly after the unsubstantiated allegations surfaced, regardless of their eventual dismissal.
Reputation severely damaged by allegations.
Using 'badly' to describe severe damage or harm to something abstract like a reputation.
The integrated circuits in the experimental apparatus were configured badly, leading to persistent malfunctions and ultimately compromising the entire research endeavor.
Circuits incorrectly configured.
Using 'badly' to indicate something was done incorrectly or improperly, leading to negative consequences.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
do badly in school
perform badly at work
behave badly in public
play badly in the game
want something badly
need help badly
hurt badly in an accident
damage something badly
sleep badly last night
things went badly
Padrões gramaticais
Padrões de frases
subject + verb + badly
He sings badly.
badly + past participle
The car was badly damaged.
need + badly
I need a drink badly.
want + badly
She wants a new toy badly.
badly + adjective
He is badly hurt.
verb + object + badly
He hurt his leg badly.
badly + adverb
The team played badly yesterday.
to do badly (in something)
She did badly in the exam.
Como usar
When 'badly' means 'not good', it usually comes after the verb:
- He sings badly.
- I did badly in the exam.
- She needed money badly.
- I badly want to pass this exam.
A common mistake is to confuse 'badly' with 'bad'. Bad is an adjective and describes a noun, while badly is an adverb and describes a verb.
- Incorrect: He sings bad.
- Correct: He sings badly.
- Incorrect: I feel badly. (Unless you mean you are bad at feeling things!)
- Correct: I feel bad.
Dicas
Understand the two main uses of 'badly'.
The word badly has two common meanings: 'in a way that is not good' and 'very much'. It's important to understand both to use it correctly.
Practice with examples for 'not good'.
Try making sentences where badly means 'not well'. For example: 'He sings badly' or 'The team played badly today'.
Practice with examples for 'very much'.
Form sentences where badly means 'a lot'. For example: 'I need a vacation badly' or 'She wants to win badly'.
Identify adverbs.
Remember that badly is an adverb, which means it describes verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. It tells you how something is done.
Don't confuse 'badly' with 'bad'.
Bad is an adjective (describes a noun), while badly is an adverb (describes a verb). For example, 'This food is bad' vs. 'He cooks badly'.
Listen for 'badly' in conversations.
Pay attention when native speakers use badly in their speech. This will help you hear how it's naturally used in different contexts.
Read sentences with 'badly'.
Look for sentences containing badly in books, articles, or online. Reading helps reinforce its meaning and usage.
Use flashcards.
Create flashcards with 'badly' on one side and its definitions and example sentences on the other. This aids memorization.
Try to rephrase sentences.
If you use badly in a sentence, try to rephrase it using synonyms like 'poorly' or 'a lot' to see if the meaning is consistent.
Get feedback.
If possible, ask a native English speaker or a teacher to check your sentences using badly. They can offer valuable corrections.
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
Things went badly for me today.
- Things went badly
- badly for me
- today
My tooth hurts badly.
- hurts badly
- My tooth
- tooth hurts
She wants to win badly.
- wants to win
- win badly
- She wants
The team played very badly.
- played very badly
- The team
- team played
I miss my family badly.
- miss my family
- family badly
- I miss
Iniciadores de conversa
"Can you think of a time when something went badly for you, but you learned a valuable lesson?"
"What is something you want to achieve so badly that you're willing to work very hard for it?"
"How do you feel when you perform badly at something you care about?"
"Have you ever seen someone else do something badly, and what was your reaction?"
"What's one thing you badly need to do or get done this week?"
Temas para diário
Write about a time you felt you performed badly and what you could do differently next time.
Describe a situation where things went badly, but you found a way to make it better.
Reflect on a goal you want to achieve badly. What steps will you take to reach it?
Write about a time you missed someone badly and how you dealt with that feeling.
Journal about a moment when you realized you needed something badly to improve your life or situation.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasWhen 'badly' is used as an adverb, it means something is done in a way that is not good, effective, or successful. For example, 'He sings badly' means he doesn't sing well.
Yes, it can! 'Badly' can also mean 'very much', especially when you really want or need something. For instance, 'I badly need a vacation' means 'I very much need a vacation'.
While it often has a negative connotation when describing quality (like 'he plays badly'), it's not always negative when it means 'very much'. If you 'badly want something,' it just shows the intensity of your desire, not that your desire is bad.
You can tell by the context of the sentence. If 'badly' is describing how an action is performed, it usually means 'not well' (e.g., 'The team played badly'). If it's used with verbs like 'want' or 'need,' it probably means 'very much' (e.g., 'She badly wanted to win').
Yes, it is! 'Badly' is the adverb form of the adjective 'bad'. 'Bad' describes a noun (e.g., 'a bad day'), while 'badly' describes a verb or another adverb (e.g., 'He performed badly').
Not really with *any* verb. It's most commonly used with verbs that express desire, need, or strong feelings, such as 'want,' 'need,' 'miss,' or 'crave.' You wouldn't typically say 'I badly eat.'
A good example is: 'The chef cooked the pasta so badly that no one could eat it.' Here, 'badly' describes the poor quality of the cooking.
An example would be: 'After working all day, I badly needed a rest.' In this sentence, 'badly' emphasizes how much a rest was needed.
Yes, it is! 'Badly' is a fairly common adverb and is included in the vocabulary for A1 level English learners because it's useful for describing quality and intensity in basic conversations.
Yes, some synonyms when 'badly' means 'not good' include poorly, awfully, or terribly. For example, instead of 'He sings badly,' you could say 'He sings poorly.'
Teste-se 114 perguntas
Write a sentence using 'badly' to describe something that was not good.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
He sings badly.
Write a sentence using 'badly' to say you really want something.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
I want ice cream badly.
Complete the sentence: 'She felt _______ after falling.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
She felt badly after falling.
How did the cat eat her food?
Read this passage:
My cat was sick. She ate her food badly. She needed to go to the vet.
How did the cat eat her food?
The passage says 'She ate her food badly.'
The passage says 'She ate her food badly.'
What does the person want to do?
Read this passage:
I like to play soccer, but I play badly. I want to learn to play better.
What does the person want to do?
The passage says 'I want to learn to play better.'
The passage says 'I want to learn to play better.'
Why did he walk?
Read this passage:
My friend missed the bus. He wanted to get home badly. He walked all the way.
Why did he walk?
The passage says 'He wanted to get home badly.'
The passage says 'He wanted to get home badly.'
The correct order is 'He sings badly' to form a simple sentence where 'badly' describes how he sings.
The correct order is 'I need a drink badly' to express a strong need for a drink.
The correct order is 'She plays the guitar badly' to indicate that her guitar playing is not good.
He plays the piano very ___. He needs more practice.
'Badly' is an adverb that describes how he plays the piano. 'Bad' is an adjective.
She wants to win the competition very ___.
In this context, 'badly' means 'very much' or 'a lot'.
The team performed ___ in the first half of the game.
'Badly' is an adverb describing the manner of their performance.
I ___ need a coffee to start my day.
Here, 'badly' emphasizes the strong need for coffee.
The car was damaged ___ in the accident.
'Badly' describes the extent of the damage.
He missed his family ___ when he was away.
'Badly' is used here to mean 'very much' or 'a lot', referring to how much he missed his family.
The correct order is Subject (She) + Verb (sings) + Adverb (badly).
The sentence structure is Subject + Verb + Adverb + Prepositional Phrase.
When 'badly' means 'very much', it usually comes before the verb it modifies.
The team performed so ___ in the first half that they were losing 3-0.
'Badly' is an adverb that modifies the verb 'performed', indicating a poor performance. 'Good' and 'great' are adjectives, and 'well' means 'in a good way'.
She wanted the promotion very ___, so she worked extra hours every day.
In this context, 'badly' is used to express a strong desire or need for something. 'Much' can be used with 'very', but 'badly' conveys a more intense desire.
The car was damaged ___ in the accident, making it impossible to drive.
'Badly' describes the extent of the damage in a negative and significant way. 'Seriously' also works but 'badly' is a direct fit for the definition provided. 'Slight' and 'softly' imply less damage.
He felt ___ about disappointing his parents after failing the exam.
'Felt badly' means he experienced a strong negative feeling. 'Good', 'happy', and 'well' describe positive feelings.
The company's profits suffered ___ last quarter due to unexpected expenses.
'Badly' indicates a significant negative impact on the profits. 'Slightly' suggests a minor impact, while 'goodly' and 'well' are incorrect in this context.
I need a vacation ___ after working so many long hours.
Here, 'badly' emphasizes the strong need or desire for a vacation. 'Slightly' means a small amount, and 'good' or 'fine' don't express a strong need.
Choose the sentence where 'badly' means 'in a way that is not good'.
In this sentence, 'badly' describes the quality of her performance, indicating it was not good. The other options use 'badly' to mean 'very much'.
Which sentence uses 'badly' to express a strong desire or need?
Here, 'badly' emphasizes the intensity of their desire to win. In the other sentences, 'badly' refers to a negative outcome or feeling.
Select the sentence where 'badly' implies a lack of success or effectiveness.
In this context, 'badly' describes how the car ran, indicating it was not effective or successful in its function. The other options use 'badly' to mean 'very much'.
The sentence 'He played badly in the final game' means he played with a lot of skill.
If someone plays 'badly', it means they played in a way that was not good, indicating a lack of skill or poor performance.
In the phrase 'She wanted to pass the exam badly', 'badly' means she had a strong desire to pass.
When used with 'want' or 'need', 'badly' emphasizes a strong desire or need for something.
The statement 'The artist painted the portrait badly' suggests the painting was beautiful and well-executed.
To paint something 'badly' means to do it in a way that is not good, effective, or successful, implying a poor quality or execution.
Listen for how the team played.
Listen for the intensity of the speaker's need.
Listen for the severity of the injury.
Read this aloud:
Despite practicing regularly, he played badly in the tournament.
Focus: badly
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
I badly want to improve my English speaking skills.
Focus: want to improve
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
The project went badly because of poor planning and communication.
Focus: planning and communication
Você disse:
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Imagine you had a really bad day. Write a short paragraph describing what happened, using the word 'badly' at least once to describe how something went or how you felt.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
My day started badly when I overslept and missed my bus. Then, during my presentation at work, I spoke so badly that I completely forgot what I wanted to say. I felt really frustrated and just wanted to go home.
Write a sentence using 'badly' to express a strong desire for something.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
After working all day, I badly wanted to relax on the couch and watch a movie.
Describe a situation where someone performed a task badly. What were the consequences of their poor performance? Use 'badly' in your answer.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
The new chef cooked the meal so badly that most of the customers complained. As a result, the restaurant lost several regulars and received negative reviews online.
How did Sarah play one section of the song?
Read this passage:
Sarah had been practicing for her piano recital for months. She knew the piece perfectly, but on the day of the performance, her nerves got the better of her. She played one section of the song very badly, making several mistakes. Afterwards, she felt quite embarrassed.
How did Sarah play one section of the song?
The passage explicitly states that 'She played one section of the song very badly, making several mistakes.'
The passage explicitly states that 'She played one section of the song very badly, making several mistakes.'
What was the result of John's performance on his history exam?
Read this passage:
Despite studying for hours, John performed quite badly on his history exam. He misunderstood several key concepts and struggled to recall important dates. He knew he needed to improve his study methods for the next test.
What was the result of John's performance on his history exam?
The passage states that John 'performed quite badly on his history exam,' which means he performed poorly.
The passage states that John 'performed quite badly on his history exam,' which means he performed poorly.
What did the owner realize about his car?
Read this passage:
The old car ran badly, making strange noises and often stalling at traffic lights. The owner knew it badly needed repairs, but he couldn't afford them at the moment. He hoped it would last a little longer.
What did the owner realize about his car?
The passage says, 'The owner knew it badly needed repairs,' indicating a strong necessity for fixing the car.
The passage says, 'The owner knew it badly needed repairs,' indicating a strong necessity for fixing the car.
The correct order is Subject (They) + Adverb (badly) + Verb (needed) + Object (help).
The adverb 'badly' modifies the verb 'affected', so it comes before it.
The adverb 'badly' describes how the performance was received.
The company performed so _____ last quarter that many investors are now withdrawing their funds.
The word 'badly' is an adverb that modifies the verb 'performed,' indicating how the company performed.
Despite rehearsing for weeks, the orchestra played _____ at the premiere, disappointing the audience.
'Badly' is an adverb here, describing the manner in which the orchestra played. 'Poorly' could also fit, but the instruction was to use 'badly' where appropriate.
After losing his job, he needed a new one so _____ that he applied for every open position he saw.
In this context, 'badly' means 'very much,' emphasizing the strong need for a new job.
She wanted to win the competition so _____ that she practiced for hours every day.
Here, 'badly' is used to express a strong desire or a great extent of wanting something.
The old house was so _____ damaged by the storm that it was deemed irreparable.
'Badly' can mean 'severely' or 'to a great extent' when describing damage or something negative.
He behaved so _____ during the meeting that his colleagues were visibly uncomfortable.
'Badly' describes the manner of his behavior, indicating that it was not good or appropriate.
The project was managed so ___ that it eventually failed.
We need an adverb here to modify the verb 'managed'. 'Badly' is the adverb form of 'bad'.
She wanted to win the competition very ___.
In this context, 'badly' means 'very much' and is used to express a strong desire.
His performance was criticized ___ by the critics.
The adverb 'badly' is needed to modify the verb 'criticized', indicating the manner of criticism.
The sentence 'I feel badly about the mistake' is grammatically correct and means I feel guilt.
While 'I feel bad' is more common for emotional states, 'I feel badly' can also be used, particularly in formal contexts, to mean feeling guilty or distressed about something.
Using 'badly' to mean 'very much' is generally considered informal.
While 'badly' meaning 'very much' is often used in informal speech, it is also grammatically acceptable and used in more formal contexts when expressing strong desire or need.
If you say someone sings 'badly', it means they sing in a way that is not good.
'Badly' is an adverb modifying the verb 'sings', indicating a lack of skill or quality in their singing.
Imagine you had a particularly bad day. Describe three things that went badly and how they affected you. Use the word 'badly' at least twice.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
My day started badly when my alarm didn't go off, causing me to miss an important meeting. Later, a presentation I had worked on for weeks went badly because of technical issues. I felt incredibly frustrated and disappointed by how badly everything seemed to be going.
Write a short paragraph about a situation where someone performed very badly at a task, even though they tried their best. Explain what led to their poor performance.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Despite his best efforts, the new intern performed rather badly on his first major project. He was clearly unprepared for the complexity of the task, and a lack of prior experience meant he struggled with even basic steps. His presentation, in particular, went very badly, leaving him quite disheartened.
Think about something you need or want very badly. Write a few sentences explaining why you need/want it so much and what you would do to achieve it.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
I want to learn Spanish very badly because I plan to travel extensively in South America next year. I feel I need to be able to communicate effectively with locals. To achieve this, I'm planning to enroll in an intensive language course and practice daily with native speakers.
What is the main reason given for the team's poor performance?
Read this passage:
The team had prepared for months, but on the day of the championship, everything went badly. Their star player got injured in the first half, and their key strategies failed to materialize. The coach admitted afterwards that they had underestimated their opponents badly.
What is the main reason given for the team's poor performance?
The passage explicitly states, 'The coach admitted afterwards that they had underestimated their opponents badly,' indicating this was a primary reason for their failure.
The passage explicitly states, 'The coach admitted afterwards that they had underestimated their opponents badly,' indicating this was a primary reason for their failure.
What caused the business deal to go badly?
Read this passage:
After weeks of negotiations, the business deal went badly. Both parties walked away feeling that their demands had not been met. It was a clear case of miscommunication and a failure to compromise. The company's stock price was affected badly by the news.
What caused the business deal to go badly?
The text mentions 'Both parties walked away feeling that their demands had not been met' and 'It was a clear case of miscommunication and a failure to compromise,' which points to high demands and poor communication.
The text mentions 'Both parties walked away feeling that their demands had not been met' and 'It was a clear case of miscommunication and a failure to compromise,' which points to high demands and poor communication.
What was the immediate consequence of her scoring badly on the essay?
Read this passage:
She wanted to win the scholarship very badly, as it was her only chance to attend her dream university. She studied relentlessly, often staying up until the early hours of the morning. However, despite her immense effort, she scored badly on the final essay, which was a crucial component.
What was the immediate consequence of her scoring badly on the essay?
The passage implies that her desire to win the scholarship was directly linked to attending her dream university, and scoring badly on the crucial essay would prevent her from getting it.
The passage implies that her desire to win the scholarship was directly linked to attending her dream university, and scoring badly on the crucial essay would prevent her from getting it.
This sentence describes how the project was poorly managed, leading to its failure. 'Badly' modifies 'managed'.
Here, 'badly' is used to emphasize the strong need for a vacation, meaning 'very much'.
This sentence uses 'badly' to describe the poor quality of the weather, which negatively impacted travel plans.
The once-thriving metropolis had been so ______ damaged by the incessant bombing that its former grandeur was barely discernible amidst the rubble.
In this context, 'badly' is used to describe the extent of the damage, implying severe and extensive destruction, which fits the overall tone of urban devastation.
Despite her undeniable talent, the artist was known to treat criticism rather ______, often retreating into isolation after receiving even constructive feedback.
'Badly' here signifies an unfavorable or negative manner of handling something, indicating that the artist reacted poorly to criticism.
The complex algorithm, designed to predict market fluctuations, performed ______ during the unexpected financial crisis, rendering its forecasts utterly useless.
Here, 'badly' describes an ineffective or unsuccessful performance, highlighting the algorithm's failure to function as intended during a critical period.
After weeks of relentless campaigning, the candidate ______ needed a respite from the constant public appearances and grueling schedule.
In this instance, 'badly' is used to mean 'very much' or 'greatly,' emphasizing the candidate's strong need for a break.
The antique clock, despite its intricate craftsmanship, had been so ______ repaired in the past that its mechanisms were now irrevocably compromised.
'Badly' here refers to a poor or incorrect method of repair, indicating that the clock was mended in an unsatisfactory way.
The impoverished community, struggling with persistent drought and famine, ______ longed for the arrival of humanitarian aid to alleviate their suffering.
Similar to a previous example, 'badly' conveys a strong and urgent desire or need, underscoring the community's profound longing for assistance.
The company performed so _____ in the last quarter that its stock plummeted.
'Badly' is the most appropriate adverb here to describe the company's poor performance, leading to a significant drop in stock value.
After weeks of intense work, she wanted a vacation so _____ she could almost taste the beach.
In this context, 'badly' is used idiomatically to express a very strong desire for something, emphasizing the depth of her longing for a vacation.
The newly installed software worked so _____ that users immediately reported numerous glitches and system crashes.
'Badly' accurately conveys the poor functioning of the software, leading to widespread issues and user dissatisfaction.
The phrase 'I need that report badly' implies a mild preference for the report.
When 'badly' is used with 'need' or 'want,' it signifies a strong, urgent desire, not a mild preference.
If a project goes 'badly,' it means it was executed with high quality and success.
If a project goes 'badly,' it means it was not successful, effective, or of good quality.
Describing someone as singing 'badly' suggests their vocal performance was substandard.
To sing 'badly' indicates a performance that is not good, effective, or successful in terms of vocal quality.
The speaker is describing a project that encountered significant problems.
The speaker is emphasizing the intensity of her desire for the promotion.
The speaker is explaining the negative impact of the scandal.
Read this aloud:
The negotiations went so badly that both parties walked away from the table without a resolution.
Focus: badly, resolution
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Read this aloud:
He wanted to prove himself so badly after his previous failure.
Focus: badly, failure
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Read this aloud:
The performance was received so badly by critics that it closed after only a few shows.
Focus: badly, critics
Você disse:
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The nascent artist struggled _______ to capture the ephemeral beauty of the sunset, her brushstrokes failing to convey the vivid hues and fleeting light.
In this context, 'badly' means 'in a way that is not good or successful,' indicating her struggle to capture the beauty effectively.
Despite his meticulous preparation, the intricate mechanism performed _______ during the critical demonstration, much to the chagrin of its inventor.
'Badly' here signifies that the mechanism performed 'in a way that is not good or effective,' contradicting the meticulous preparation.
After weeks of isolation, she yearned _______ for human connection, the silence of her apartment amplifying her profound sense of loneliness.
Here, 'badly' is used to mean 'very much,' emphasizing the intensity of her yearning for human connection.
The nascent economic reforms were implemented so _______ that they exacerbated existing disparities, leading to widespread social unrest.
'Badly' indicates that the reforms were implemented 'in a way that is not good or effective,' resulting in negative consequences.
He needed to secure the elusive grant _______ if his groundbreaking research project was to have any hope of progressing beyond the conceptual stage.
In this sentence, 'badly' conveys a strong necessity, meaning 'very much,' for him to secure the grant.
The diplomatic negotiations went _______ awry, with both parties failing to find common ground, leaving the complex international dispute unresolved.
Here, 'badly' implies that the negotiations proceeded 'in a way that is not good or successful,' leading to their failure.
After the torrential downpour, the once vibrant garden fared so _______ that its beauty was irrevocably diminished.
While 'poorly', 'dreadfully', and 'miserably' can be synonyms for 'badly', 'fared so badly' is the most idiomatic and natural-sounding choice in this context to describe the garden's condition after a severe event, implying a significant negative impact.
Despite extensive preparations, the fledgling company's maiden presentation was received so _______ by the investors that funding was immediately withdrawn.
In this context, 'badly' most effectively conveys the severe negative impact of the presentation on the company's prospects. While 'unfavorably', 'disastrously', and 'woefully' are close, 'received so badly' is a common and impactful phrase.
The renowned architect's reputation was damaged so _______ by the structural flaws in his latest project that he faced widespread public condemnation.
'Damaged so badly' is a common and strong idiomatic expression to describe significant harm to a reputation. While the other options are also strong, 'badly' fits most naturally here.
The statement 'She yearned badly for a respite from the relentless pressure of her demanding career' correctly uses 'badly' to mean 'very much'.
In this sentence, 'badly' is used to emphasize the intensity of her yearning, meaning she desired a respite 'very much' or 'greatly'.
The sentence 'He performed badly in the competition, yet still managed to secure a spot in the finals' implies that his performance was below expectations but not entirely disqualifying.
'Performed badly' indicates a poor performance, but the conjunction 'yet' introduces a contrasting idea, suggesting that despite the poor performance, he still achieved a positive outcome (securing a spot in the finals).
The phrase 'The antique vase was handled so badly that it shattered into countless pieces' suggests that the handling was done in a manner that was careful and meticulous.
The phrase 'handled so badly' clearly indicates that the vase was handled carelessly or improperly, leading to its destruction. Therefore, the statement is false.
This sentence uses 'badly' to describe the extent of damage to the company's reputation.
'Badly' here emphasizes the intense need for a break.
This sentence uses 'badly' to indicate that the performance was not well-received.
/ 114 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Badly means performing poorly or intensely desiring something.
- Not good
- Poorly
- Very much (want/need)
Understand the two main uses of 'badly'.
The word badly has two common meanings: 'in a way that is not good' and 'very much'. It's important to understand both to use it correctly.
Practice with examples for 'not good'.
Try making sentences where badly means 'not well'. For example: 'He sings badly' or 'The team played badly today'.
Practice with examples for 'very much'.
Form sentences where badly means 'a lot'. For example: 'I need a vacation badly' or 'She wants to win badly'.
Identify adverbs.
Remember that badly is an adverb, which means it describes verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. It tells you how something is done.
Exemplo
The team played badly today.
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abcarndom
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abcenthood
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abcitless
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abcognacy
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abdocion
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abdocly
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aberration
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abfacible
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abfactency
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