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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > ´ ´A CONFUSION CASE OF ADVERBS ´ ´
´ ´A CONFUSION CASE OF ADVERBS ´ ´
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aleafff
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´ ´A CONFUSION CASE OF ADVERBS ´ ´
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Hi colleagues,
I have a confusion about the usage of ´ ´easy ´ ´ as an adverb.In some grammar sources on internet ´ ´easy is among the adverbs and adjectives with the same form ´ ´. For example: It is easy - adjective here
Relax and take it easy-adverb here.
The confuson is that in other sources ´ ´it is among the adjectives ending with consonant and y ,omitted -y and added -ily to be changed into adverb.
For example: I found my way easily.
Which one is correct? I ´m really confused and need help especially from native teachers?
Thanks is advance
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4 Nov 2010
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olgumco
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Hello, well... I am not a native speaker, I hope it does not disappoint you, but I can answer your question. When you find the word "easy" as a modifier of the verb and not as the modifier of a noun, then it is an adverb.
This exam was easy. (Easy exam) adjective + noun
She takes it easy. (How does she take it?) adverb modifying verb
Now, the grammatically correct form of the adverb is easily: She can skate easily. He can easily travel there every moth. I could do that easily. All of the "easy" modify the verb.
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4 Nov 2010
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arlissa
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Agree with everything olgumco said, but will just add one more thing to note. In the USA (and perhaps other English-speaking countries) we say "take it easy" to mean "have an easy rest," hence the usage of "easy" to modify "rest." Though the grammar form of "take it easy" is not technically correct, it is a common saying that everyone uses. We would never say, "take it easily."
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4 Nov 2010
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aleafff
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Initially ,thanks a lot for your neat attention. Actually ,I have no hesitation about the usage of adverbs and adjectives. I just want to learn why we use ´ ´easy ´ ´ with the same form in some phrases as an adverb but why don ´t we use easily if the correct form is this?I have just wondered what is the little discrimination ? The reason can be because of the formal and informal speech ?I ´m not sure!!! I guess so!I ´ll check there.
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4 Nov 2010
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yanogator
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As arlissa said, "take it easy" is a fixed expression, but you ´re right that "easily" is usually the form as an adverb.
Bruce |
4 Nov 2010
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aleafff
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By the way,I have just seen your description ,Arlissa.Thank you, too. You say it is because of the informal speech of the community .I think there are other phrases like that.
I will highlight this information to my students because the example was a confusing case for me opposited to what I have known so far.
Thankss! |
4 Nov 2010
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mourad1O
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"take it easy" is an expression that can ´ be parted into verb, noun or adjective. Syntactically and semantically speaking, you can ´t assign roles to each element in the expression. If you draw a tree diagram, then where is the subject, the verb, the object, and the adverb?
You take it easy: you: subject, take: transitive verb, it : direct object, easy: adverb? adverbs answer the questions ´how ´ ´where ´ when ´. For me it is an adj which is inflected to the verb. You can ´t seperate the two. It has no meaning or reference without the context where it exists and the same thing for "easy". The verb "take" is the head of the whole phrase.
What can u say about "take it for granted" For granted: prepositional phrase which functions as adverbial. That ´s not the case because for granted is inflected to the verb. They are one unit. "For granted" does not modify anything. it is part of the verb.
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4 Nov 2010
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tropic of cancer
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Good reply Mourad; essentially its a kind of three-part phrasal verb. Consider a phrase like: ´she takes it easy generally ´.
To the OP my response is: don ´t get too hung up on grammar; as long as the meaning is understood it will be communicated effectively. |
5 Nov 2010
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