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Anonymous Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Be careful(ly)
Since "be" is a verb and "carefully" an adverb, why isn't it "Be carefully" instead of "Be careful"? Apparently, it has something to do with the verb "to be," as you can substitue whatever various word for careful and end up with the same question.
Top answer
I'm not a grammar expert, but i think that it is somewhat awkward to say "be carefully" we just normally say "be careful". i think grammatically both is correct, but we just use "be careful" more often cuz it sounds better and most of the people us it.
- I'm not a grammar expert, but i think that it is somewhat awkward to say "be carefully" we just normally say "be careful".
- i think grammatically both is correct, but we just use "be careful" more often cuz it sounds better and most of the people us it.
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3 Answers
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I'm not a grammar expert, but i think that it is somewhat awkward to say "be carefully" we just normally say "be careful". i think grammatically both is correct, but we just use "be careful" more often cuz it sounds better and most of the people us it.
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I'm no grammar expert either, but one cannot "be" in a careful way". You can only "do" something "in a careful way".
"Careful" is a predicate adjective (you can't have an adverb in that role), and qualifies the person you are talking to; you ask the person to "be careful".
"Careful" is a predicate adjective (you can't have an adverb in that role), and qualifies the person you are talking to; you ask the person to "be careful".
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In your example, you is understood. You be careful.
When you use any form of the linking verb be (am, is, are, was, were, will be, can be, could have been, etc.), you will modify the subject (noun, pronoun), not the verb.
In "you be careful," careful goes back to midify "you," not the linking verb "be."
You are careful, not the adverb carefully.
You be careful.
When you use any form of the linking verb be (am, is, are, was, were, will be, can be, could have been, etc.), you will modify the subject (noun, pronoun), not the verb.
In "you be careful," careful goes back to midify "you," not the linking verb "be."
You are careful, not the adverb carefully.
You be careful.
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