Good vs Well | Difference, Examples & Grammar
Good and well are sometimes used interchangeably in informal speech, but they usually fulfill different grammatical functions.
Well is the adverb form of the adjective good, so you generally use “good” to describe a noun, but “well” to describe a verb.
| Adjective good in sentences | Adverb well in sentences |
|---|---|
| She got a good grade in math. | She is doing well in math. |
| That was a very good meal. | He cooks very well. |
| He is a good chess player. | He plays chess quite well. |
When to use good
Good is an adjective used before a noun to describe it as “enjoyable” or “of a high standard” (e.g., “That was a good game!”)
But you can also use “good” as a predicate adjective after a linking verb.
Person B: I’m good, thanks!”
Person A: Can I offer you something to drink?
Person B: No thanks, I’m good.
The food tasted good.
The idea sounded good at first.
“Good” is sometimes used as an adverb in informal speech, but this is considered incorrect in most situations. Don’t use “good” as an adverb in formal contexts such as academic writing.
You’re not a beginner. You played too good for a beginner!
“Good” also functions as a noun, for instance, to mean something that is done for the benefit of someone or something, or the opposite of evil.
She believes there is good in everyone.
When to use well
“Well” is the standard adverb form of the adjective “good.”
He thinks he did pretty well on the test.
“Well” can also function as a verb, a noun, or an adjective meaning “healthy,” as well as an interjection to help organize conversations.
The landscape is scattered with oil wells.
Person A: How are you?
Person B: I’m well, thanks.
Person A: But what about the costs?
Person B: Well, we can come back to that later.
Doing good vs doing well
Doing well means “having success” or, in the context of health or well-being, “managing successfully.”
He had started treatment and was doing very well.
“Hope you’re doing well” is a standard phrase used in the opening to a personal letter or email.
“Doing good” is a commonly used alternative to “doing well” in colloquial speech, but using “good” as an adverb like this should be avoided in formal writing and speech. The QuillBot Paraphraser can help you rewrite phrases to avoid using “good” as an adverb.
- The flowers looked really good.
- The flowers looked really well.
- Person A: How was she? Person B: She looked really well.
All well and good
We use the expression all well and good to acknowledge the positive aspects of something before criticizing it in some way.
That’s all well and good in theory, but I don’t think it’ll work in practice.
Frequently asked questions about good vs well
- Is it “going good” or “going well”?
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“Going well” is the correct choice (e.g., “My new job’s going very well, thanks”), because you need to use the adverb “well” rather than the adjective “good” in this expression.
However, “good” is also used as an adverb in informal speech (e.g., “It’s going really good, thanks”). But this is considered incorrect in most situations, so don’t use “good” as an adverb in formal writing or speech.
The same applies for “doing good” vs. “doing well” (i.e., “He’s doing very well in his new job” is correct).
The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you ensure you’re using the correct phrasing in your writing.
- Is it “I am good” or “I am well”?
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“I’m well” and “I’m good” are both grammatically correct responses to the question “How are you?”
The verb “to be” is a linking verb and can be followed by an adjective. “Good” is an adjective, and although “well” is the adverb form of “good,” it is also an adjective meaning “healthy.”
“I’m good” is less formal than “I’m well,” so “I’m well” is the better choice for most formal contexts (e.g., a job interview), particularly because some people consider “I’m good” to be incorrect.
Use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to ensure you choose the right word in your writing.
