One of the most common mistakes in English usage is misusing the words “good” and “well”. In short, good is an adjective, while well is an adverb.
For example:
Mary did a good job.
I’m having a good day.
As an adjective, good is used to describe a noun (job and day are nouns).
Compare to this:
Mary did the job well.
My day is going well.
Well, as an adverb, is used to describe a verb, adjective, and another adverb (did [to do] and going [to go] are verbs).
However, there is an exception for ‘related to sense’ or ‘sensory verbs’, such as look, smell, feel, taste, seem, appear, sound; use “good” to describe the subject of the sentence. For example:
This dress looks good on you.
It sounds good to me.
In addition, if you want to describe something regarding health, use “well”. On the other hand, if you want to express something concerning to emotional state, use “good”. Thus, when someone is asking you, “How are you?”, answer:
“I’m feeling well.”, if you are physically fit, or
“I’m feeling good.”, if you are happy, satisfied, or in a good mood.
Quiz
(1) She plays the violin …
(2) What a … idea!
(3) The food tastes …
Answer
(1) well
(2) good
(3) good
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