Hello there! As a linguistics enthusiast with a passion for the English language, I'm here to help you navigate through the nuances of its grammar and usage. Let's delve into the question at hand: whether "lonely" is an adverb or an adjective.
Firstly, it's important to understand the basic definitions of these two parts of speech. Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns, providing details about the noun's qualities, such as size, color, or state. For example, in the sentence "She is a beautiful woman," "beautiful" is an adjective describing the woman.
On the other hand, adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, often describing how, when, where, or to what extent something is done. For instance, in the sentence "She sings beautifully," "beautifully" is an adverb describing the manner in which she sings.
Now, let's consider the word "lonely." It primarily functions as an adjective, describing a state of solitude or a feeling of being alone. When used as an adjective, "lonely" typically follows the noun it modifies. For example, "He felt a lonely sadness," where "lonely" describes the type of sadness he felt.
However, "lonely" can also be used in a predicative position, which is when an adjective follows a linking verb (like "is," "was," "were," etc.) and describes the subject of the sentence. For example, "The room was lonely after she left," where "lonely" describes the state of the room.
It's worth noting that "lonely" is not typically used as an adverb. While it can describe a feeling or state, it doesn't modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs in the way that adverbs do. The confusion might arise from the similarity in meaning between "lonely" and "alone," as well as the use of "lonesome" in American English.
"Alone" can be both an adjective and an adverb. As an adjective, it describes a state of being without others, similar to "lonely." As an adverb, "alone" can modify a verb to indicate that an action is done without the company of others. For example, "She wanted to walk alone," where "alone" is an adverb modifying the verb "walk."
"Lonesome," as mentioned, is often synonymous with "lonely" in American English, and it also serves as an adjective, describing a feeling of sadness due to being alone. It doesn't function as an adverb.
In conclusion, "lonely" is predominantly an adjective, used to describe a feeling of solitude or the state of being alone. It can be used predicatively but is not commonly used as an adverb. "Alone" can be both an adjective and an adverb, while "lonesome" is similar to "lonely" in meaning and usage but is not used as an adverb.
Understanding these distinctions can greatly enhance your command of the English language and your ability to express nuanced ideas with precision. Remember, language is a living, evolving tool, and mastering its subtleties is a rewarding endeavor.

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Grammar. Alone, lonely, or lonesome? -- Alone or lonely?Alone is an adjective and an adverb meaning that no other person is with you. When we use alone as an adjective, it never comes before the noun (predicative adjective): -- LonesomeIn American English, lonesome means the same as lonely: --read more >>