Paging all grammar nits: "timely"

CrazyEyez · #1 03-20-2007, 03:55 PM

A) "Please respond in a timely manner."
adjective, describing the noun "manner."

B) "Please respond timely."
adverb, describing the verb "respond."

A) is the most common way I hear it. B) sounds wrong. However, per Merriam Webster "timely" is in fact an adverb and not an adjective, making A) incorrect.

*** Am I wrong on A) - is "manner" in fact an adverb (describing "respond"), making timely an adverb in that sentence? And therefore both A) and B) are correct?

Aloysius · #2 03-20-2007, 03:57 PM

CE - "timely" is an adverb describing the adjective "manner".

-Al

miajag · #3 03-20-2007, 03:58 PM

[ QUOTE ]
CE - "timely" is an adverb describing the adjective "manner".

-Al

[/ QUOTE ]

Am I getting leveled here?

Scary_Tiger · #4 03-20-2007, 03:59 PM

[ QUOTE ]
CE - "timely" is an adverb describing the adjective "manner".

-Al

[/ QUOTE ]

No, you're wrong.

Scary_Tiger · #5 03-20-2007, 04:02 PM

"timely" is both an adjective and an adverb.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/timely

CrazyEyez · #6 03-20-2007, 04:06 PM

[ QUOTE ]
"timely" is both an adjective and an adverb.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/timely

[/ QUOTE ]

Mystery solved and crisis averted. The lesson as always: lol pocket dictionaries.

GrammarPolice · #7 03-20-2007, 04:07 PM

[ QUOTE ]
CE - "timely" is an adverb describing the adjective "manner".

-Al

[/ QUOTE ]

"manner" is a noun.

Timely is both an adjective and an adverb, but its most common usage is as an adjective. Per American Heritage:

timely

SYLLABICATION: time·ly

ADJECTIVE: Inflected forms: time·li·er, time·li·est
1. Occurring at a suitable or opportune time; well-timed. 2. Archaic Coming too early; premature.

ADVERB: 1. In time; opportunely. 2. Archaic Early; soon.

As for the use of the second adjective: Coming too early, premature. One could say "Al ejaculated in a timely manner."

private joker · #8 03-20-2007, 04:11 PM

[ QUOTE ]

As for the use of the second adjective: Coming too early, premature. One could say "Al ejaculated in a timely manner."

[/ QUOTE ]

HAhaha. It's funny because it's true. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

Aloysius · #9 03-20-2007, 04:13 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

As for the use of the second adjective: Coming too early, premature. One could say "Al ejaculated in a timely manner."

[/ QUOTE ]

HAhaha. It's funny because it's true. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

ahahha oh man, I did not think before posting. I have no explanation, especially cause CE noted "manner" is a noun the OP.

Ownage duly noted.

Skulking away,
-Al

DrewDevil · #10 03-20-2007, 04:35 PM

On a related note, please hit yourself in the head if you ever use the phrase "at this point in time." Five words to say "now."