With Sense Verbs

Following a verb which refers to the senses (e.g. see or seem, taste, feel, sound), be sure to use an adjective to describe the noun in the clause, instead of an adverb.

She felt badly about her behavior last evening.

Badly is an adverb, which shouldn’t be used after felt.

She felt bad about her behavior last evening.

The house appears sound, but it hasn’t been inspected yet.

The house appears soundly, but it hasn’t been inspected yet.

That old meat smells funnily.

That old mead smells funny.

Exception: When using the verb to look to mean to see with one’s eyes, as opposed to to seem or to appear, use an adverb to describe the verb.

I looked quickly at the man’s face.

The verb to look is used to mean to see with one’s eyes, and so an adverb is used.

I looked terrible after the long ordeal.

The verb to look is used to mean to appear or to seem, so an adjective is used.