Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 3 down vote favorite

What is the correct use of the word dryly in the following sentence?

You said that very dryly.

Is dryly correct in this context?

share|improve this question
1  
The question title refers to dry as an adjective, but then your question body is about dryly, which is an adverb. Just a remark. :-) – CesarGon Mar 31 '11 at 22:45
You might also have said it very drolly, and to be honest I think a lot of people wouldn't hear and/or understand the difference. – FumbleFingers Mar 31 '11 at 22:46
1  
@CesarGon good pickup. Thanks. – Chris Mar 31 '11 at 23:07
@Chris: You're welcome. – CesarGon Apr 1 '11 at 1:02
I see you edited the title already, but this isn't actually the word dry as an adverb, it is dryly as an adverb. Some adjectives do get used as adverbs informally, like "he got out of there quick"; this is different obviously. – Kosmonaut Apr 1 '11 at 2:16
show 2 more comments

2 Answers

up vote 4 down vote accepted

My Dictionary says:

dryly |ˈdrīlē| (also drily) adverb
1 in a matter-of-fact or ironically humorous way : “How very observant,” he said dryly.
2 in a dry way or condition : Evans swallowed dryly.

I also found it can be a synonym of "being cold" and not just "ironic" and "sarcastic".

share|improve this answer
up vote 2 down vote

Yes, that is correct. 'Dryly' is the adverbial form of the adjective 'dry', and the adverb is called for in this case, since it modifies the verb.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.