Well/Good argument, please help!

Question

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."

Also, Good is an adjective and well is a verb. It just doesn't work!

So what say you?

Miriam · Accepted Answer

Of course, one will believe a good dictionary.

What you've found is true. Yet, in "real" English, many poeple will use adjectives to answer the questions:
"How are you?"
and
"How are you doing?"

Answers I hear frequently are:
"Doing well." (or "I'm doing well)
"Doing fine."
"Doing ok."
"I'm good / well/ fine/ ok."

Miriam

Zz · Answer

Miriam, Some irony about Websters or American corporate ownership? Subtle.

Here’s something from the Brits

good survives as an adverb only in non-standard American English, e.g.:

I'm looking after the place good—Maurice Gee, 1994. The use in feel good (which is current in BrE and AmE) is adjectival, not adverbial:

I didn't feel too good the next day—S. Wall, 1991.

Pocket Fowler's Modern English Usage.

Miriam · Answer

Oh no, I meant no irony, really! Actually, I trust Webster's dictionaries and I have an old edition of their "Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary" which I use very often.

What I meant was that not every colloquial, or very infirmal, expression will always be found in a dictionary. Probably not even the most up-to-date dictionaries have all the instances of actual usage.

In American English, even when they are far from formal, expressions such as "I'm doing good/fine" seem to be rather common. I have heard them used by British people too. I don't know how "educated" their English is, but no one seems to worry when they hear such expressions.

Miriam

David · Answer

May I suggest

I am feeling good
I am well

Iam doing good is slang

Zz · Answer

Hi David. Miriam, oh, no, - laughing – I was sharing an observation, hoping that the guest was being ironic
“My proof is from Dictionary.com which is owned by Webster's, who owns the English language.”

Miriam · Answer

Aww... zz, I misunderstood that then; I'm sorry.

David,
Thank you.

I am surprised I hear those expressions so often now. There seem to be more people using slang than I thought.

Mike in Japan · Answer

To me 'I'm good' (opp. I'm bad - like Mr Jackson') sounds more like a description of one's moral makeup rather than one's state of health.

Zz · Answer

I'm bad/deaf
Mike, As David says, slang – more irony at work

Zz · Answer

Oh, Mike, before I sign off, a thought: maybe expressions such as I’m bad/deaf have more to do with potency and street smarts than moral fiber

Mike in Japan · Answer

Lol ... I'm still pondering that one ... it's been a hard day here.

Well/Good argument, please help!

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