Expressionless vs. its Adverb

SnarfShould it be expressionlessly, instead of expressionless?

Technically, yes, but expressionlessly is such an ugly word.

You can also analyze expressionless as an adjective functioning as a subject complement, so it's grammatical with or without the -ly ending.

CJ

And in leaving it that way, without turning it into an adverb, or adding a comma anywhere, it's clear that it is she who is expressionless and not him?

SnarfAnd in leaving it that way, without turning it into an adverb, or adding a comma anywhere, it's clear that it is she who is expressionless and not him?

Well, it's clear to me anyway.

Snarf Please have a look at this:She looks at him expressionless for a moment.Should it be expressionlessly, instead of expressionless?Thanks.

You could give it a helping hand with a couple of commas: "She looks at him, expressionless, for a moment." That lets it be an adjective guilt-free. Or is that "guilt-freely"?

If you find the sentence to read awkwardly without -ly (as I do), you could use impassively, which is more or less the same.

I agree that expressionlessly is a beast.

OMG, Clive! I can't believe you got all that past the censors!

CJ