So I was writing an email to a customer, and wanted to tell them that some samples in a test were "doing good"... or is it "doing well"? I'm an engineer, not an English major. I have no clue. Normally I would pick one an move on, but now I am paranoid. My know-it-all sister recently mocked me for saying that I was "good". She says (in know-it-all sister tone) "You mean well?" Uhhhhhh, no, I meant "good." She's a theater major and grade school teacher, so she probably knows better than I do. So I ended up looking it up on the internet...
Grammer Girl sounds authoritative, so I'll go with that. Hmmmm, it would appear that "I am good" and "I am well" are equally valid. Never miss a brotherly opportunity to demonstrate your superiority.
I ended up going with "doing good." She'll probably comment on here that I did indeed pick the wrong word...
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2 comments:
My Dearest Brother,
Good is an adjective and describes nouns and pronouns. Good (or any other adjective) generally comes before a noun (good day, good life, good job). However, it can come after the predicate (verb) if it is acting as a predicate adjective (an adjective in the predicate that describes or modifies the subject of the sentence)(For example: He is good, The cat is good, I am good).
Well is an adverb and describes adjectives, adverbs, and verbs.
Well often describes the verb in a sentence and tells how someone or something is acting (For example: He jumps well, She sings well, I am doing well).
In conclusion, It is proper to say either:
I am good. (Good describes I)
or
I am doing well. (Well describes am doing)
Finally, although this is the best way to use good and well, in English there are always exceptions. The exception in this situation is that it is always acceptable to use well when referring to one's health. Therefore, in English, you may say:
I am good.
or
I am well. (When referring to health).
But...Jason...You should never say I am doing good...
Your grammar conscious sister,
Gina
What I found troubling was the statement in your original blog, "I would pick one an move on" which I think should be, "I would pick one anD move on". On another note, should the period go inside the quotation marks or the on the outside?
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