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MUSCOVITE Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
if you could finalize this micro-topic (copulative verbs followed by/GOOD/WELL )?
Hi,
Most grammar books and various ESL sources claim that the linking verbs such as
to look
to feel
to sound
to smell
can be followed by either GOOD or WELL (I am aware that the meaning will depend on the choice made, but it is not what I am asking about in this post :-)
According to what I have seen in the Internet, the linking verb "to taste" can be followed by "good" (e.g., "this soup tastes good"), but is never used with "well" ( "this tastes well").
Is the verb "to taste" kind an exception to the rule when using with GOOD/WELL?
mus-te
Most grammar books and various ESL sources claim that the linking verbs such as
to look
to feel
to sound
to smell
can be followed by either GOOD or WELL (I am aware that the meaning will depend on the choice made, but it is not what I am asking about in this post :-)
According to what I have seen in the Internet, the linking verb "to taste" can be followed by "good" (e.g., "this soup tastes good"), but is never used with "well" ( "
Is the verb "to taste" kind an exception to the rule when using with GOOD/WELL?
mus-te
Top answer
I would say yes. I've never heard anyone say It tastes well.
- I would say yes.
- I've never heard anyone say It tastes well.
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7 Answers
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It is a matter of meaning.
She looks/sounds good - smart, attractive
She looks/sounds well - healthy
People are unlikely to taste, feel or smell well.
She looks/sounds good - smart, attractive
She looks/sounds well - healthy
People are unlikely to taste, feel or smell well.
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fivejedjonPeople are unlikely to taste, feel or smell well.People are unlikely to FEEL WELL?
I don't understand what is wrong/unusual with "to feel well"... If you could elaborate on this?
Following are some COCA search results:
"looks well" - 37 hits
"feels weel" - 23 hits
"sounds well" - 9 hits
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Sorry, I was not clear.
She looks well - She seems healthy when I look at her..
She sounds well - From what I hear, she appears to be healthy
She tastes well - A medicine man in some tribe or other might lick a patient to judge their state of health from the taste, but otherwise this sentence is not possible in English.
She feels well (1) - A medicine man in some tribe or othe
She looks well - She seems healthy when I look at her..
She sounds well - From what I hear, she appears to be healthy
She tastes well - A medicine man in some tribe or other might lick a patient to judge their state of health from the taste, but otherwise this sentence is not possible in English.
She feels well (1) - A medicine man in some tribe or othe
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It is the most complete "summary" regarding the construct <copulative verb> + good/well I have ever seen.
Thank you so much fivejedjon!
As for the phrases "she tastes/smells well", it sounds like a cannibal's vernacular to me :-) (Hope such interpretation is possible as well).
Thank you so much fivejedjon!
As for the phrases "she tastes/smells well", it sounds like a cannibal's vernacular to me :-) (Hope such interpretation is possible as well).
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MUSCOVITEAs for the phrases "she tastes/smells well", it sounds like a cannibal's vernacular to me :-) (Hope such interpretation is possible as well).No. That would be 'she tastes/smells good'. (I am not speaking from personal experience of tasting/smelling cooked human flesh, I hasten to add.)
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