Good and well are two words often confused in English.
The general rule is:
Good is an adjective which describes a noun.
Well is an adverb which describes a verb (or sometimes an adjective).
Examples for the correct use of good:
I enjoyed the film, it was really good. I enjoyed the film, it was really well.
They are such good friends to me. They are such well friends to me.
The weather is not good today. The weather is not well today.
Examples for the correct use of well:
He sings really well. He sings really good.
They play football amazingly well. They play football amazingly good.
I’m very disappointed, I didn’t do well in my exams. I’m very disappointed, I didn’t do good in my exams.*
Recap: Good = something pleasing and of the desired quality. Well = an action performed in a desired way or pleasing way.
He cooks well. He is a good cook.
She speaks English well. She is good at English.
They dance extremely well. They are extremely good dancers.
Exceptions to the good/well rule.
Health and wellbeing – When we talk about health or wellbeing, we use well as the adjective.
I don’t feel well, I need to lie down. I don’t feel good, I need to lie down.
My father was ill last week, but he’s well now. My father was ill last week, but he’s good now.
How are you (feeling) today? I’m (feeling) well, thanks. How are you (feeling) today? I’m (feeling) good, thanks.
Linking verbs – Linking verbs can be used with good, an adjective, rather than well, an adverb. Linking verbs describe a state or feeling rather than an action. The most common linking verbs include: appear, sound, seem, look, smell, feel, and taste.
The chocolate cake tastes so good. The chocolate cake tastes so well.
One thing I like about this soap is that it smells good. One thing I like about this soap is that it smells well.
The dress looks good on you. The dress looks well on you.
English tip of the day: Native English speakers don’t always speak in a grammatically correct way.
You may often hear native speakers say good instead of well, for example: I’m (feeling) good thanks. I’m very disappointed, I didn’t do good in my exams. He sings really good.
This isn’t grammatically correct, but even native speakers get it wrong sometimes!
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