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Sircnay Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
Good/well argument, help!
Okay so a friend of mine and I are arguing the following about the English language:
I say that when asked "How are you doing?" unless it's in reference to your health, can not be answered, "I'm doing well."
My proof is from Dictionary.com which is owned by Webster's, who owns the English language.
"Usage Note: English speakers have used well both as an adjective and as an adverb since Old English times. When applied to people, the adjective well usually refers to a state of health..."
Example:
"How did the test go?" It could not be answered, "It went well." As that would be improper according to Webster's. Instead it must be answered, "I did good."
Now what about the usage of good? This is what Webster has to say:
"Usage Note: Good is properly used as an adjective with linking verbs such as be, seem, or appear: The future looks good. The soup tastes good. It should not be used as an adverb with other verbs: The car runs well (not good). Thus, The dress fits well and looks good."
So what say you?
Also, Good is an adjective and well is a verb. It just doesn't work!
I say that when asked "How are you doing?" unless it's in reference to your health, can not be answered, "I'm doing well."
My proof is from Dictionary.com which is owned by Webster's, who owns the English language.
"Usage Note: English speakers have used well both as an adjective and as an adverb since Old English times. When applied to people, the adjective well usually refers to a state of health..."
Example:
"How did the test go?" It could not be answered, "It went well." As that would be improper according to Webster's. Instead it must be answered, "I did good."
Now what about the usage of good? This is what Webster has to say:
"Usage Note: Good is properly used as an adjective with linking verbs such as be, seem, or appear: The future looks good. The soup tastes good. It should not be used as an adverb with other verbs: The car runs well (not good). Thus, The dress fits well and looks good."
So what say you?
Also, Good is an adjective and well is a verb. It just doesn't work!
Top answer
You correctly pointed out that "well" is used as an adverb except when referring to a state of health. Q: How are you doing? 1.
- You correctly pointed out that "well" is used as an adverb except when referring to a state of health.
- Q: How are you doing?
- 1.
- I'm doing well.
- 2.
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5 Answers
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You correctly pointed out that "well" is used as an adverb except when referring to a state of health.
Q: How are you doing?
1. I'm doing well.
2. I'm doing good.
[1] is correct. [2] is not correct but may be acceptable in informal speech.
Again, as you yourself point out, "good" is an adjective and therefore it should not be used to modify verbs such as "
Q: How are you doing?
1. I'm doing well.
2. I'm doing good.
[1] is correct. [2] is not correct but may be acceptable in informal speech.
Again, as you yourself point out, "good" is an adjective and therefore it should not be used to modify verbs such as "
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Wouldn't it be proper to say, "I did good on the test"?
Another thing is aren't you not supposed to use an adverb after a linking verb? I feel "good" or he's "good" at pool, should be correct because "feel" and "is" are linking verbs... and linking verbs don't like them adverbs. It's like mixing gasoline and styrofoam, they just don't go together. It makes napalm.
Another thing is aren't you not supposed to use an adverb after a linking verb? I feel "good" or he's "good" at pool, should be correct because "feel" and "is" are linking verbs... and linking verbs don't like them adverbs. It's like mixing gasoline and styrofoam, they just don't go together. It makes napalm.
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"I did good on the test" is incorrect, because "good" is not an adverb. "Well" is an adverb; it describes the manner in which the verb ("did") was performed.
"I feel good" is correct, because you are using "good" as an adjective describing yourself. "I feel well" would be correct only if you were referring to your sense of touch.
"I feel good" is correct, because you are using "good" as an adjective describing yourself. "I feel well" would be correct only if you were referring to your sense of touch.
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"I feel good" is correct, because you are using "good" as an adjective describing yourself. "I feel well" would be correct only if you were referring to your sense of touch.
BAM! Yes. Thank you. That's the answer I've been looking for.
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1. I did good on the test.
[1] is not proper because "good" is an adjective and "do" is not a linking verb.
2. I feel good.
3. He's good at pool.
[2] and [3] are both correct.
NORMAL VERB + ADVERB
LINKING VERB + ADJECTIVE
[1] is not proper because "good" is an adjective and "do" is not a linking verb.
2. I feel good.
3. He's good at pool.
[2] and [3] are both correct.
NORMAL VERB + ADVERB
LINKING VERB + ADJECTIVE
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