Good vs. Well: The Grammatical Difference

The words good and well are often a major source of grammatical nitpicking, especially when it comes to talking about physical health. Do these words overlap at all, or do they mean entirely different things? 

In this article, we will define the words good and well, break down the differences between them, explain how they are typically used in both formal and informal language, and provide examples of how good and well typically appear in sentences. 

good vs. well

In formal language, the word good can be used as an adjective, noun, or interjection. As an adjective, good has many different meanings, most of which describe something as being of commendable quality or positive in some way. For example, a good book is one that is skillfully written and entertaining. 

The word well can be used as an adverb, adjective, noun, or interjection. As an adverb, well can be used to mean that something is done skillfully or in a good manner. For example, a person who plays piano well is talented at playing the piano. As an adjective, well is used to refer to good health. For example, a person with the flu would say that they don’t feel well. 

In formal language, it is considered nonstandard to use the word good as an adverb meaning “well.” For example, the sentence She cooks good would be considered nonstandard in formal writing. Instead, the sentence She cooks well would be considered standard. However, using the word good in this way is largely considered acceptable in informal language, such as in text messages or conversations with your friends. 

Linking verbs often are a common source of confusion regarding good and well. Because it is an adjective, good can follow a linking verb even in formal language, as in Brandy smells good. In this sentence, the word good is being used as a subject complement to describe the subject Brandy and not as an adverb to describe the verb smells. By contrast, the sentence Brandy smells well would mean that Brandy is skilled at smelling things (which might be an unusual thing to say, unless Brandy is a dog!).  

What exactly are linking verbs? Get to know their function and some key examples.

When used to describe health, the verbs look and feel can cause some confusion about whether to pair them with good or well. In standard language, the adjective well is generally preferred when talking about physical health, and the adjective good is preferred when discussing emotional or mental health. 

For example:

• I don’t feel well after eating that rotten meat. (I feel physically ill.)
• I don’t feel good about selling this rotten meat. (I am emotionally upset.) 
• I think Amy has the flu because she doesn’t look well. (Amy appears physically ill.) 
• I think Amy flunked her exams, because she doesn’t look good at all. (Amy appears to be suffering emotionally.) 

In informal language, though, good is commonly used as a synonym of well to refer to positive physical health. For example, the sentence He isn’t feeling good because he has bronchitis would be largely considered acceptable in informal language, even though it refers to physical health. 

Still, because good has many different meanings as an adjective, depending on context, it may be correct to follow the verbs look and feel with good and not well. 

For example:

• Correct: My car looks good after being washed.
• Incorrect: My car looks well after being washed.
• Correct: That hot towel feels good on my back. 
• Incorrect: That hot towel feels well on my back.

Examples of good and well used in a sentence

Let’s make good use of our grammar skills and look at some sentences that show how we typically use good and well. 

• Learning new skills is always a good use of your time. 
• My cat can’t see well after getting her eye drops.
• Catalina dresses really well and always looks really good on the red carpet. 
• The reason you aren’t feeling well is because you don’t have a good diet.