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GOOD and WELL

Instructions:

You are given a block of text which explains the theory of this concept.

Once you have read the theory, do the exercises given below to test how well you have understood the ideas.

 

How to do the Exercises:

 

You are given a set of words.

You are also given some sentences with input boxes, and you are required to use the words to complete the sentences correctly.

 

You can put your chosen word into the input box by first clicking on the word and then in the input box.

 

The word will appear in the input box.

 

If it is correct, it will go green, and if not, it will go red.

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GOOD and WELL

QUESTION: What's the difference between GOOD and WELL?

ANSWER:

GOOD is an adjective and WELL is an adverb.
- We eat well, (as we are describing how we eat and drink.)

Adverbs answer the question HOW, and adjectives answer the question What sort of ...
- She speaks good Japanese.
- She speaks Japanese well.
- She speaks Japanese better than I do.

Note that better is the comparative form of both good and well.

There are some exceptions:

When we use verbs such as be, seem, appear, sound, look, feel, smell, taste, they are followed by adjectives rather than adverbs as we are describing the subject of the sentence rather than the action of the verb.
- She looks really good in those clothes.
- The food at the reception tasted really good - better than the food we had last year.
- There's no way he'll get a distinction, but the work he's done appears good enough for a pass.
- I felt really good when she congratulated me on winning the essay prize.

For similar reasons we would talk about:
- A good-looking woman.
- A good-natured boy. (good describes his nature).

But we would also say:
- A well-dressed woman. (WELL tells us how she dresses)
- A well-behaved boy. (WELL tells us how he behaves)

The only time when well can be used as an adjective by itself is when we are talking about someone's health. Here well means in good health.
- How are you today? Fine. Very well, thanks. / Not very well, actually.
- I often feel unwell when I'm on a boat, but as soon as I get off, I'm fine.

Note that the expression well and good is used to indicate that you find a particular situation satisfactory or acceptable.
- If you can do the job in less time and leave early, I don't mind. That's (all very) well and good.
- If you want to stay here on your own over Christmas, well and good.

Incidentally, there is now a trend among young people, particularly in the 18 - 25 age range, to use well instead of very in expressions like:
- I am well happy with that.
- I was well tired last night.
- She was well pleased with her birthday present.
Again it breaks the rule and is effective in the impact it makes.

Well used in this way often refers to exceptional circumstances or is used as a summary statement. I wonder if this creative use of the English language has reached you yet in your part of the world?

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INCORRECT SENTENCE: Its Davids dogs bone.

  • IT'S
  • BONE
  • DOGS
  • DOG'S
  • DAVID'S
  • ITS
  • .
  • DAVIDS

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