Act weird/weirdly: behave weird / weirdly [adjective vs adverb]?

[keramus]

Hello everybody

I'm a little confused. Should we use adjectives or adverbs after behave/act?
Which one is more idiomatic?
To act so weird
To act weirdly

To behave impolite
To behave impolitely

I would be glad if you could give me your opinion. Thank you.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Grammatically, you should use the adverbs. But you will see and hear "weird" after those verbs.

 

[keramus]

Thank you.

 

[Rover_KE]

There is no need to write a new post just to say "Thank you". It makes us think there is new information or a follow-up question and we spend time opening the thread. Simply click on the "Thank" button at the bottom left-hand corner of any post you find helpful. It saves everybody's time.

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Hello, Keramus:

You have already received the answer.

I am replying only because I have found some information that may interest you.

The verb "act" has always driven me crazy, too, so I have collected the opinions of various people. I am delighted to share a few.

*****

1. "The [indigenous people] acted friendly.

a. My source tells me that we can think of "friendly" as an adjective in such a sentence.

i. It means that they seemed/were friendly. [As you know, "seem" and "were" are linking verbs.]

b. The source says that the same applies to "He acted silly."

i. But we cannot say, "He behaved silly/stupid."

Authority: Robert M. Gorrell, Watch Your Language.

2. One netizen who seems very knowledgeable says this:

a. "Act" is frequently treated as a linking verb.

i. It is similar to "seem."

(a) "He acts (as if he were) smart."

Source: A netizen named "CalifJim" at a grammar helpline called englishforums.

3. "Act" is often a linking verb -- according to another authority.

a. In this sense, it means to pretend to be something.

i. "Stop acting innocent."
ii. "If anybody asks, act dumb."

Authority: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary.

4. Finally, one scholar gets very upset when people say, "Act natural."

a. He says that such a sentence is a "pure Germanism." He adds: "Though in common use by Americans, [it is] recognized as slang."

I have made up this dialogue that I think would please that scholar.

Mona: I hear that you have a job interview today.

Raul: Yes, and I'm very, very nervous.

Mona: Don't be nervous. Just act naturally, and they will hire you.

Authority: Michael Dummett, Grammar & Style for examination candidates and others (1993).