Expert: Dan Smith - 2/17/2010

Question
Grammar question; don't act strange/strangely?
Hello,
I'm not sure if I should use the words "normal / normally", "nervouse / nervously", "strange / strangely", "calm / calmly" or "weird / weirdly' in the following sentences. Also, is there a grammar rule so you know when to add the "ly"?
1. Don't act "strange / strangely" becuase you're nervous, try to remain calm and act "normal / normally."
2. I always act "nervous / nervously" and "weird / weirdly" in job interviews.
3. You must learn to act "calm / calmly" if you want to get the job.

Answer
Mostly, these words are interchangeable and carry the same meaning in these sentences. But I think that in most instances native speakers would not add the ly. The exception might be normally in teh first sentence. But it's not a matter of grammar.

English is a language in which it is possible to say the same thing in several different ways and still be correct.

Hope this helps.