Rule: A few adjectives end in -ly, but most words ending in -ly are adverbs.
Examples of errors:
(1) Old people are isolated and they become more and .more helplessly.
(2) The use of the language becomes more and more habitually.
(3) My way of putting the question would be more firmly the second time.
Sentences (l)-(3) manifest the reverse error described in 8.1, that is, the use of an adverb where an adjective is-required (modifying the nouns people, use and way). There are a few adjectives that end in -ly, some of which may function as adverbs as well, but these must be learned individually. They include:
1. adjectives derived from nouns referring to people, and having the meaning 'like a' or 'having the qualities of' (e.g. cowardly 'like a coward', gentlemanly, kingly, manly, masterly, scholarly, etc.)
2. adjectives derived from nouns referring to the measurement of time, having the meaning 'periodic recurrence' (weekly 'every week', monthly, hourly, yearly, quarterly--but not *minutely, *secondly, *morningly, *afternoonly)
3. others (friendly, likely, sprightly, lowly, kindly, surly, curly, mealy, jolly, deadly, sickly, etc.)