Directly and Direct

[Snappy]

Can I use "directly" instead of "direct" in the following sentences. Do they change the meanings if I use "directly" instead?
We flew direct to Hong Kong.
I prefer to deal with him direct.
How about this one? Does the meaning change if I use "direct" instead?
He drove her directly to her hotel.

[Lady Hawk]

In each of your sample sentences, "directly" is the correct use. The use of "direct" doesn't change the meaning as the context can be understood. However, it is an incorrect use of the word. "Directly" can be used as several forms of speech-verb, adjective, adverb. It would be best to consult a dictionary for further understanding.

[svartnik]

Can I use "directly" instead of "direct" in the following sentences. Do they change the meanings if I use "directly" instead?
We flew direct to Hong Kong.
I prefer to deal with him direct.
How about this one? Does the meaning change if I use "direct" instead?
He drove her directly to her hotel.

My take on this is:

'Direct' and 'directly' may both be used as adverbs.
'Direct' means without deviation or delay and so blends time and direction.
Directly, however, can be purely temporal.

We flew direct to Hong Kong. -- no delay --> no stopover; no detour
We flew directly to Hong Kong. -- no delay --> no stopover

I prefer to deal with him direct. -- straighforwardly
I prefer to deal with him directly. -- straight away

[philo2009]

Mr Svartnik is spot-on!

[svartnik]

Mr Svartnik is spot-on!

[Snappy]

I've once heard that the following sentences are different in meaning.


We flew direct to Hong Kong. = Took a direct flight
We flew directly to Hong Kong. = Flew to Hong Kong immediately



Are the following sentences the same in meaning?

I prefer to deal with him direct.
I prefer to deal direct with him.
I prefer to deal with him directly.
I prefer to deal directly with him.