The pairs good/well, bad/badly, and real/really are tricky because the form that you choose depends on whether you need an adjective or an adverb. Use these guidelines to figure out when to use each of these words.

1. Determine whether the word is filling an adjective slot or an adverb slot.

   Ellen, who is usually a _____ driver, recently had an accident and was hurt _____.

   An adjective is needed in the first slot, to modify the noun driver. An adverb is needed in the second slot, to modify the verb hurt.

2. Use an adjective form (good, bad, real) to modify a noun or complement a linking verb (a form of be, seem, feel, smell, look, taste, or sound). Use an adverb (well, badly, really) to modify a non-linking verb, an adjective, or an adverb.

   Revised: Ellen, who is usually a good driver, recently had an accident and was hurt badly.

3. To choose between less and fewer, determine whether the word described is uncountable or countable. A good test for this is whether the word is plural. Use less to describe an uncountable noun; use fewer to describe a countable noun.

   _____ money is being allocated to work-study positions this year. As a result, we will have _____ student workers and _____ help with answering the phones.

   Money is uncountable; student workers is countable (note that workers is plural); help is uncountable.

   Revised: Less money is being allocated to work-study positions this year. As a result, we will have fewer student workers and less help with answering the phones.

4. To choose between farther and further, determine whether the word is being used to describe physical distance. If so, use farther. If not, use further.

   _____ advances in technology may enable the new hybrid cars to travel even _____ without refueling.

   The first slot does not describe a distance; the second slot does.

   Revised: Further advances in technology may enable the new hybrid cars to travel even farther without refueling.

Remember: Use adjective forms to modify nouns and linking verbs; use adverb forms to modify non-linking verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.

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