Drive Safe or Drive Safely: Adjective vs. Adverb

Hello, you have A Way with Words.

Hi, this is Margaret from Southwest Wisconsin.

What are you thinking about today?

Oh, well, I listened to your show.

Thank you very much.

It’s a reassuring show in so many ways.

And it was for this reason that I called in, because I hear over and over in my house, when I’m leaving to go drive somewhere, drive safe.

And, you know, I’ve tried for years to say, safely, please drive safely.

But I need some help, and I need some solace from Martha and Grant because I’m not getting it in my household.

And breathe deeply.

I just want to say here your argument is, just to clarify, that safe is an adjective and safely is an adverb, right?

Mm—

Right.

And I notice you didn’t mention who was saying drives.

No, it’s better.

I don’t want to hurt feelings.

It’s just that I’m just looking for a little bit of understanding from the two of you.

So it would make me feel better.

Oh, well, Margaret, you have it from me.

I mean, I would just…

Thank you, Martha.

You’re welcome.

Margaret, I guess the question that I would have for this unnamed person in your household who tells you to drive…

My cousin.

Husband.

This unnamed person in your household who tells you to drive safe, does this unnamed person in your household also drive a car that has a bumper sticker that says, think global, act local?

Not yet.

But he would if he could. Is that what you’re saying?

I don’t know. He’s very particular about bumper stickers.

Well, yes, Margaret, I am here to reassure you.

Thank you, Martha.

You’re welcome.

That as you and I were taught growing up, adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, and a few other things.

And in this case, you want an adverb to modify drive there.

I agree. That’s the correct way to speak.

I would encourage, however, appreciating the sentiment is sometimes better than quibbling over the method in which it’s delivered.

But Grant, this isn’t rocket surgery. It’s easy.

It’s an expression of love and care.

You two are a great balance.

You’re a great balance.

Do you think?

No, I really, yeah.

All right, so it’s not 100% grammatical, but it’s an informal situation.

Somebody saying, I care about you, please drive safe.

Lee.

Lee.

Right, right, right.

Lee, it’s an adverb.

I also want to say, if this other person happens to be, say, your spouse, I hope that this is the largest argument that you have.

Probably.

Margaret, if he really loves you, he’ll use an adverb.

Wow, the line has been drawn.

Oh, you guys are great.

Dictionaries will be thrown tonight.

That’s right.

Well, you have to choose your battles.

Don’t you think you can concede on this one?

You know, just by talking to the two of you, I feel better already.

Oh, do you?

Well, that’s good.

Yeah, I do.

I really do, because there was some point that I was thinking, maybe it doesn’t need an L.Y.

And then I heard your show last week, so I thought I’d call in and feel better.

And I do.

So thank you, Martha and Grant.

Awesome.

Take care of yourself, Margaret.

And drive safely.

Thank you, Mark.

Bye-bye.

You’re welcome.

Bye-bye.

Bye-bye.

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