A radio commercial around here goes like this:
“Buy direct from our factory,
And you will save big money.”
Shouldn’t it be “buy directly from our factory” (disregarding what it does to the meter of the song)? Is this a symptom of our nation’s complete and utter disregard for proper English, or is there some nuance of usage that I’m overlooking? I mean, we don’t say “Go straightly at the stop light.”
So who is right, me or thy copy writer?
Ugh :mad:! That’s two spelling errors in two threads this morning! :mad: :mad: :mad:
Warning: I’m not a grammar person. But AFAIK…
Direct is an adjective and thus should modify a noun.
Directly is an adverb and thus should modify a verb.
Since the verb “buy” is being modified, it should be “directly”.
Alas, the misuse is common. Don’t take it personal.
Not all adverbs end in -ly. There are several words that can serve as either an adjective or an adverb. Direct has been used as an adverb (as well as adjective) for hundreds of years, even by careful writers. Slow is another word that can go either way: “A slow driver” or “He drove slow”. That’s not to say that direcly and slowly aren’t words too: they are.
Just take a cue from Apple and learn to “Think Different.”
:rolleyes:
FWIW, I don’t think Apple is suggesting how one should think. If such were the case then you would be correct. However, I believe the resulting slogan is a translation of “Think: Different.” I doubt seriously if a handsomely paid marketing firm has deficiencies in grammar. A local TV station producing a commercial for Looney Larry’s Furniture Barn and Hot Tub Outlet may be another story.