Lesson 19: The Difference Between "Good" and "Well"

Essential English Mistake to Avoid!

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A common mistake that English learners often make?

Misusing "good" and "well." These two words seem similar, but they have different meanings and uses. Did you know that 70% of English learners struggle with this challenge?

Despite their apparent similarities, understanding their distinct meanings and usage is crucial for effective communication. Keep reading to learn the main differences between using these words correctly.

Let's begin with "good":

"Good" is an adjective that describes the positive qualities of a noun. It signifies approval, satisfaction, or excellence.

"This is a good book"

"He is a good student."

👉 However, interpreting "good" can be subjective and context-dependent. Personal preferences, cultural backgrounds, and individual standards influence its meaning. Adding modifiers like "very good" or "decent" can intensify or soften the judgment.

What about the use of "well"?

"Well" is an adverb describing a verb's manner or quality.

"She sings well"

"He runs well"

👉 It indicates how an action is performed or the extent to which it is done competently.

😬 The mistake often made is using "good" to describe a verb when they should be using "well."

❌ "I play good basketball" is incorrect because "good" is an adjective and should describe a noun, not a verb.

✅ → "I play basketball well.”

Here are a few more examples to help you understand the difference:

"She is a good dancer."

(describing a noun)

"She dances well."

(describing a verb)

"He is a good driver."

(describing a noun)

"He drives well."

(describing a verb)

🚀 The Final Take

"Good" is an adjective that describes nouns, indicating positive qualities.

On the other hand, "well" is an adverb that describes verbs, highlighting the quality or manner of an action.

Using "good" instead of "well" to describe verbs is a common error.

For example, saying "I play good basketball" is incorrect; it should be "I play basketball well."

Done! Now you know how to avoid the common mistake of using "good" to describe a verb. Thank you for joining us, and we trust that you found this lesson valuable and await your presence next week!

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