Be honest… Are you not totally sure what the difference is between “good” and “well”? Or, do you not really know when to use one or the other? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. In fact, it wouldn’t be outrageous to assert that nearly everyone has used good and/or well incorrectly before. But, that’s no reason not to learn their correct usages. Mastery of such simple yet frequently misused words will go a long way in helping you impress your peers and superiors alike.
Let’s start by establishing the basics of each word. “Good” has numerous meanings, from handsome, suitable, or profitable to virtuous, skillful, or loyal. According to Merriam-Webster, “well” has similar definitions, including “in a proper or friendly manner,” “with skill or aptitude,” and “with good appearance and effect.” …You may be thinking this isn’t super helpful, and you’re right—with a troublesome word pair like this, definitions can sometimes add to the confusion. But, they set the stage for what will help.
You see, the primary difference between “good” and “well” is the part of speech each represents—”good” is an adjective, whereas “well” is typically an adverb. To clarify, “good” modifies a person, place, or thing, as in “That’s a good idea.” In this case, “good” is an adjective modifying the noun “idea.” On the other hand, “well” modifies an action, as in “You did well.” Here, “well” is an adverb modifying the verb “did.”
Now, just because nothing can ever be simple in the English language, there are some additional considerations to keep in mind. First, nonaction or copular verbs, which describe a state of being, are paired with “good” rather than “well.” These verbs include “to be,” “to feel,” “to seem,” and “to look.” To put this into perspective, you wouldn’t say: “That book is well.” Instead, you would say: “That book is good.” The trick here is that, even though “good” is coming directly after the verb, it’s still acting as an adjective modifying the noun—”book.” Second, you should use “well” as an adjective when referring to health or well-being. For instance, you would say: “She doesn’t feel well.” If you said “She doesn’t feel good,” you’d be commenting that she is not adept at feeling.
An issue that often comes up in the discussion of “good” versus “well” is how to appropriately respond to the question “How are you?” …What do you usually say? “I’m good”? Or, “I’m well”? Technically, since you’re discussing your well-being rather than your virtue or competence, the correct reply would be “I’m well” (though some sources, such as https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/good-versus-well, have an alternative perspective). However, in this day and age, the “I’m good” response has become so common that it is generally acceptable in most settings.
Ultimately, it’s up to you. If you’re in a particularly academic or professional atmosphere, and the culture dictates that “I’m well” would be a better response, go with that. However, if you’re in a more personal or laid-back environment, and “I’m well” would come off as condescending or stiff, go with “I’m good.” When it comes down to it, all that really matters is that you communicate meaningfully and intelligently with those around you without violating the norms of the group.
So, how do you feel now? Is the difference between “good” and “well” a bit clearer? Do you think you can now respond to “How are you?” with confidence and resolve? If you answered “Yes” to those questions, you’re making great progress in improving your English skills and standing out as an articulate individual. Keep up the good work, and you should continue to do well.
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