Good and Well are Different

Have you ever heard they following sentences?

• "You did so good!"
• "Make sure it's tied really good."
• "I don't write as good as you."

These sentences, and sentences like them, are, to me, ear poison. Why? Because they mix up the usage of "well" and "good." That is, they switch out the word "well" for the word "good." I don't know why english speakers have such an aversion to the word "well." Perhaps it's because "well" makes us sound more proper, prim, British, or whatever synonym for polite you want to use. 

In any case, I am here to educate the masses on the usage of good and well. 

Good is an adjective. An adjective describes a noun (a noun, if you don't know, is a person, place, thing, or idea. For example, Jim Bob, Walmart, rubber duck, or freedom).

Well is an adverb. An adverb describes a verb (a verb, if you don't know, is an action word. For example, grin, rampage, kiss, or murder).

Put more simply, good is used when describing a thing, person, place, or idea. Mainly things, though.

• "That rubber duck is really good for our family. My kids don't hate bathtime anymore."
• "Wow, Jim Bob is good at baseball."
• "Walmart is good because it's cheap."
• "You know what's good? Freedom. It keeps us from having to be British."*

Well, on the other hand, describes an action.

• "You tied your shoes so well! High five!"
• "Oh, aloe vera works really well for sunburns."
• "This glue is the best. I love it because you can slather it on your hand and it acts a lot like dead skin. Once it dries, you can peel it off pretty well."

Next time you're tempted to use the word good, think about if you're describing an action or not.

That's all!

Have A Smiley Day!

*Sorry. July 4th is coming up, you know.