Good describes a person or thing and answers the question what kind? Well describes an action and answers the question how? A good driver drives well. After look, sound, smell and taste, you need good: they describe what the thing itself is like, not how it does something. With feel both work: I feel good means you feel fine, I don't feel well means you're unwell.
good or well — can you pick the right one?
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good + noun; be/look/feel/sound/smell/taste + good; verb + well; be/feel well = healthy; I'm good = no, thanks (informal)
- She's a good teacher and explains grammar really well.
- Your plan sounds good, but the slides need fewer words.
- I didn't sleep well, so I'm already on my third coffee.
What changed
First versionShe speaks English very good after a year in Canada.
RevisionShe speaks English very well after a year in Canada.
Good! is a common one-word reply, so it's easy to think good works for how something is done too. But how someone does something is described with well: speak well, sleep well, play well. Good describes the person: a good speaker.
I'm well means I'm healthy and fine: How are you? — I'm well, thanks. In conversation, I'm good means the same, but it's also a polite refusal: More coffee? — No, I'm good, thanks. It means no thanks, I've had enough, not yes, please.
Your turn
This soup smells ___. What did you put in it?
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good — Smell here describes the soup itself, what it's like, so you need good, as in sounds good or looks good. Smells well sounds as if the soup has a good sense of smell.
Describe a friend or colleague: who they are and what they do well. Use good and well in one sentence.
My friend Anna is a good cook, and she makes pasta really well.
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