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Believer Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
good and well
Hi,
I think you can make/use sentences like these.
He is good.
He runs well.
But can we make it like these?
He works good. (Is good an adjective here???)
He works well.
I think you can make/use sentences like these.
He is good.
He runs well.
But can we make it like these?
He works good. (Is good an adjective here???)
He works well.
Top answer
There is a confusion amongst many native speakers as to when to use 'good' (the adjective) and 'well' (the adverb and adjective). "He works good" is grammatically 'wrong' as here an adjective is modifying a verb which it 'cannot' do. " with an adverb (well) modifying the verb (works).
- There is a confusion amongst many native speakers as to when to use 'good' (the adjective) and 'well' (the adverb and adjective).
- "He works good" is grammatically 'wrong' as here an adjective is modifying a verb which it 'cannot' do.
- " with an adverb (well) modifying the verb (works).
- However, in informal speech 'good' is used by many native speakers and is starting to gain some acceptability in some circles in spite of it being 'grammatically wrong'.
- So my advice is...
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4 Answers
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There is a confusion amongst many native speakers as to when to use 'good' (the adjective) and 'well' (the adverb and adjective).
"He works good" is grammatically 'wrong' as here an adjective is modifying a verb which it 'cannot' do.
Therefore the only 'correct' choice is:
"He works well." with an adverb (well) modifying the verb (works).
However, in informal s
"He works good" is grammatically 'wrong' as here an adjective is modifying a verb which it 'cannot' do.
Therefore the only 'correct' choice is:
"He works well." with an adverb (well) modifying the verb (works).
However, in informal s
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Good is a word that cannot be defined by one definition for example,
Some may think that marriage is good, when others might think marriage is bad (however this is not a good example)
'Well' can be used in two contexts;
1. I am feeling well
2. Well, I am not sure
Example1 shows that you are feeling well (not sick)
Example2 shows that your deciding on the
Some may think that marriage is good, when others might think marriage is bad (however this is not a good example)
'Well' can be used in two contexts;
1. I am feeling well
2. Well, I am not sure
Example1 shows that you are feeling well (not sick)
Example2 shows that your deciding on the
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Tam SadekThis is an example of when 'real' English clashes with 'grammatical correctness'Or simple proof of a lousy educational system.
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Thankfully for English, it changes.
This is why it is an adaptive living language and not a dead one like Latin...
Remember that English does NOT have a prescriptive grammar, merely a descriptive one.
Me? I welcome change...
This is why it is an adaptive living language and not a dead one like Latin...
Remember that English does NOT have a prescriptive grammar, merely a descriptive one.
Me? I welcome change...
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