Although good has been used as an adverb since the 13th century, since the 19th century, a number of usage experts have proscribed that usage. In their view, there is a place for good-the adjective but good-the-adverb will come to no good. Replace the good-for-nothing good, say these critics, with well.

It's all well and good to forbid using good as an adverb, but anyone who listens to real-life conversations knows that people don't say Listen up and listen well; they say Listen up and listen good. Listen up as we look at the place of good the adverb.

Good and well have very different connotations. The adverb well is standard, neutral, and colorless: She did well on the math test. The adverb good is emotionally charged and emphatic. The falling tree smashed up that car good. As you can see by these examples, well cannot neatly substitute for good in every situation.

Careful language observers also appreciate the usefulness of the emphatic good in sports lingo, where an athlete may be commended for both playing good and rebounding well.

By the way, none of this has anything to do with the debate between feeling well and feeling good.


Well was that explanation clear enough everyone?

Good, if not I just don't know what to tell you.

I know that "Goody" was a popular woman's name among the Puritans in the 17th century. Was that the only time/group that favored Goody as a name?