Confused Words: good / well
GoodGood is an adjective. It modifies (describes) a noun.
Example
As the above examples show, the adjective good has three usual positions:
1. before the noun it modifies (good time)
2. after a verb of being (play was good)
3. after a linking verb (flowers smell good)
In each case, the adjective good is modifying a noun.
Good should never be used as an adverb (modifying a verb).
Thus, the following example is incorrect:
As shown below, the adverb well should be used in the above example.
Correct:
Well
Well is an adverb.
Well always modifies/describes a verb.
As a modifier of a verb, well tells HOW something is done.
In the above example, well tells how Hans did on his test.
More examples:
Well tells how Max plays chess.
Well tells how Jan is loved by her friends..
In certain cases only, well may be used as an adjective and is interchangeable with good:
1. to indicate good health
Both of the following examples are correct:
2. to indicate satisfactory conditions
Both of the following examples are correct:
Both good and well change to better and best in their comparative and superlative forms.
Use the comparative form - better - when comparing two items.
Examples - better as adjective
Example - better as adverb
Use the superlative form - best - when comparing three or more items.
Examples - best as adjective
Example - best as adverb
Summary:
Good is an adjective. It modifies a noun.
Well is an adverb. It modifies a verb (telling "how").
Well may be used as an adjective to indicate good health or satisfactory conditions.
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