The phrases should, therefore, be, "_indifferently_ honest,
_excellently_ well, _miserably_ poor." _Elegant_ and _slow_ are also
inaccurate, for it is not the office of the adjective to express the
manner, time, or place of the action of verbs and participles, but it is
_the office_ of the adverb. The constructions should be, "She writes
_elegantly_; He is walking _slowly_."
You may correct the following examples several times over, and explain
the principles that are violated.
FALSE SYNTAX.
He speaks fluent, and reasons coherent.
She reads proper, and writes very neat.
They once lived tolerable well, but now they are miserable poor.
The lowering clouds are moving slow.
He behaved himself submissive, and was exceeding careful not to give
offence.
NOTE 4, TO RULE 29. Adverbs are sometimes improperly used instead of
adjectives; as, "The tutor addressed him in terms rather warm, but
_suitably_ to his offence."
The adverb _suitably_ is incorrect. It does not express the manner of
the action of the verb "addressed," but it denotes the _quality_ of the
noun _terms_ understood; for which reason it should be an adjective,
_suitable_.
Pages:
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226