WELL or GOOD?
Do you know how to use these correctly?
Let’s begin…
GOOD is an adjective.
We use adjectives to describe NOUNS.
WELL is an adverb.
We use this specific adverb to describe VERBS.
GOOD
We can use GOOD before nouns.
You are a very good student.
The Wolf of Wall Street is a good film.
There are so many good people in the world.
We can use GOOD after ‘BE’ (when describing a noun):
How are you? I’m good thank you.
How was the film last night? It was really good.
I ordered a triple chocolate brownie for dessert. It was so good.
We can use GOOD after sense/feeling verbs:
I feel good. I feel better than ever!
This cake tastes good. Can you give me the recipe?
You sound good. Your voice isn’t so croaky anymore.
You look good. Have you lost weight?
You smell good. Is that a new perfume?
Everything seems good with Dan and Paula, but I’m not so sure.
Don’t forget that you can also use the comparative form and superlative form of GOOD in the same way:
adjective: good
comparative: better
superlative: the best
A: John is a good singer, but I’m a better singer.
B: That’s true, but I think I’m the best singer.
WELL
We use WELL to describe verbs.
Juan speaks English very well.
(We are describing speak. You cannot say ‘speak good’.)
You did well on your exam.
(We are describing do. You cannot say ‘do good’.)
Jane really married well.
(We are describing marry. You cannot say ‘marry good’.)
My dad invested well in the 1980s. He’s now a millionaire.
(We are describing invest. You cannot say ‘invest good’.)
We ate so well on our holiday. I think I gained 2 kilos!
(We are describing eat. You cannot say ‘eat good.’)
BUT! ‘WELL’ can be an adjective when we mean: healthy.
I don’t feel well today. I feel a bit ill.
Get well soon!
(I hope you feel better.)
How is your grandfather? He’s very well!
I don’t feel well enough to go to work today.
If you are confused, ask yourself these questions:
Am I describing what kind? Use GOOD.
- What kind of book? A good book.
- What kind of film? A good film.
- What kind of smell? A good smell.
Am I describing how? Use WELL.
- How does he speak English? He speaks well.
- How does your mum cook? She cooks well.
- How can you live on only £400 a month? I live very well.
We also use WELL when we are speaking to introduce a new sentence.
Well, I don’t agree with your politics, but I respect your opinion.
A: How was the restaurant last night?
B: Well, the food was good, but the service was awful.
A: I hate how you never help me around the house!
B: Well, you constantly complain about everything I do when I try to help.
In this case, ‘well‘ doesn’t have a specific meaning. It’s something we use when speaking to give us time to think.
Thank you very much for reading!
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See you next time!
Arnel 🙂
