bad or badly

[notmyname216]

Which sentence is correct below:

(1) The war went bad for the soldier.
(2) The war went badly for the soldier.

I think the correct sentence is (2).

(3) The war goes bad for the troops.
(4) The war goes badly for the troops.

I think the correct sentence is (4).

(5) I felt bad after the divorce.
(6) I felt badly after The divorce.

I think the correct sentence is (5).

Am I correct for each sentence selected? Can somebody explain when "bad" or "badly" should be used?

Thank you in advance.

[Tdol]

I agree with your choices. 'Feel' generally takes an adjective as it's a copula (linking) verb: http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/copula-verb.html. In the first two,the adverb is correct becuase it is modifying the verb, but in the last example it links to the subject.

[notmyname216]

tdol, from that link you gave me it lists "go" as a linkng verb. Are "went" and "goes" also linking verbs or can only the base form of a given verb be a linking verb?

[MadHorse]

Sorry to horn in on your discussion, but I wonder if "I want it bad" and "I want it badly" are both fine and of the same meaning. I feel like I've heard them both said before.

[Tdol]

Technically 'badly' is the grammatically correct form, but in some regions people use adjectives in colloquial language.

[MadHorse]

Thanks tdol

[Casiopea]

The verb "grow" also belongs to that verb category. Consider,

[1] Those trees grow quickly. <present tense; fact>
[2] Those trees grew quickly. <past tense>
=> "grow/grew" express a state

[3] Those trees grow apples quickly. <transitive>
[4] Those trees grew apples quickly. <transitive>
=> "grow/grew" are transitive. That is, the trees actually DO something to something; they grow apples.

[notmyname216]

Tdol, If I understand what you are saying, given these sentences:

(1) The war went bad for the soldier.
(2) The war went badly for the soldier.
(3) I felt bad after the divorce.
(4) I felt badly after The divorce.

(2) and (3) are correct for this reason:
"felt" is a linking verb so an adjective is used after it.
"went" is not a linking verb so an adjective (bad) can not occur after it.

Thanks for your help.