Fenja
What is the difference between "well" & "good"?
Jan 8, 2010 11:01 AM
Answers · 4
2
So you should know that in 'I'm feeling well' Or 'I'm well' the word 'well' is used as an adjective (NOT adverb) to mean 'in good health', the opposite of 'ill': 'I don’t feel very well.' 'Get well soon!' 'How are you today?' 'I'm very well, thanks' However, it can also be used as an adverb, as shown in the examples above, to mean 'in a good, right or acceptable way'. 'Your English is good.' but 'You speak English well.' 'It is a good song and the singer sang it well' =An adjective (good) describes a noun (song). An adverb (well) describes a verb (sang). 'Good' is an adjective, and 'well' is its adverb. The opposites are 'bad' and 'badly'. However, 'well' can also be used as an adjective meaning 'in good health', the opposite of 'ill'. Also, 'good' can be used as a general reply to a greeting to mean 'healthy': 'How are you?' 'I'm good.' 'I don't feel too good today.'
January 8, 2010
well refers to 1.(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard ('good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for 'well') "the children behaved well"; "a task well done"; "the party went well"; "he slept well"; "a well-argued thesis"; "a well-seasoned dish"; "a well-planned party" 2.Thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form "The problem is well understood"; "she was well informed"; "shake well before using"; "in order to avoid food poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked"; "well-done beef"; "well-satisfied customers"; "well-educated" 3.Indicating high probability; in all likelihood "I might well do it"; "you may well need your umbrella"; "he could equally well be trying to deceive us" 4.(used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully "a book well worth reading"; "was well aware of the difficulties ahead"; "suspected only too well what might be going on" 5.To a suitable or appropriate extent or degree "the project was well underway"; "the foetus has well developed organs"; "his father was well pleased with his grades" Good refers to: 1.Having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified "good news from the hospital"; "a good report card"; "when she was good she was very very good"; "a good knife is one good for cutting"; "this stump will make a good picnic table"; "a good check"; "a good joke"; "a good exterior paint"; "a good secretary"; "a good dress for the office 2.Having the normally expected amount "gives good measure"; "a good mile from here" 3.Deserving of esteem and respect "ruined the family's good name" 4.Promoting or enhancing well-being "the experience was good for her" 5.Of moral excellence "a genuinely good person" cowboy... 4
January 9, 2010
Consider also please the difference between: "I'm feeling well" -> not ill. "I'm feeling good." -> happy, contented. Whilst you cannot say "I'm walking good," you CAN say "I'm feeling good." That's because, in the latter case, you're not using 'good' adverbially, but as an adjective.
January 8, 2010
"well" is an adverb. It should be used to modify a verb. "He runs good" is bad English, though you will hear it often. A correct sentence would be "He runs well." or "She reads well" Good can be an adjective or a noun. "He is a good student." "We are doing this for the city's good." In answer to the question "How are you?", you could answer two ways: "I am good, thanks." or "I am doing well, thanks." One point - technically, "be" is a verb, but it's what is called a linking verb and therefore does not take an adverb.
January 8, 2010
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