Quote:
Originally Posted by mobama
Looks like an overcomplicated formality, to do with just that verb.
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No.
Sam feels badly: Badly is an adverb. Using it indicates that Sam is poor at feeling, although whether emotionally or physically is not determined.
Sam catches badly: Sam is poor at catching.
Sam feels bad. Bad is the object of the verb. Sam is experiencing the feeling of "bad" - which in this case does not mean wicked.
Sam catches bad. Bad is again the object of the verb, although its precise meaning is unclear. Perhaps it indicates that Sam has become wicked. Perhaps that there is some new disease called 'bad'.
But the distinction between badly and bad does not depend on the verb.