going good

USAGE SUMMARY

"going good" is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
You could use "going well" instead. Example: "How is your day going?" "It's going well."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He had a feeling, he said, "of not enjoying the moment, just going, 'Good.

The New Yorker

It's been going good".

The New York Times - Sports

"Campaign's going good," Barr said.

The New Yorker

"Things are going good.

The New York Times - Sports

"Everything is going good".

The New York Times - Sports

I hope everything keeps going good.

The New York Times - Sports

"Right now things are going good.

The New York Times - Sports

Our lives were going good.

The New York Times

I like it when I'm going good.

The New York Times - Sports

"Things were going good for me.

The New York Times

When you're going good, you're going good — and nobody in baseball is having a season quite like Cabrera's.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, always use "going well" instead of "going good". The latter is considered grammatically incorrect. For example, instead of saying "The project is going good", say "The project is going well".

Common error

Avoid using "going good" in professional or academic writing. While it might be acceptable in very informal conversations, it detracts from credibility in more formal settings. Always opt for "going well" to maintain a polished and correct tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going good" functions as a present participle phrase, often used informally to describe the state or progress of something. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this usage is grammatically questionable because "good" is an adjective, not an adverb, and adverbs modify verbs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Sports

37%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "going good" is quite common, especially in news and media and sports contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI suggests, the grammatically correct alternative is "going well". It's best to avoid "going good" in formal writing and professional settings to maintain credibility. The phrase's widespread usage in informal contexts, however, indicates its acceptability in casual conversation. When writing, remember that adverbs like "well" should modify verbs, not adjectives like "good".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

going well

This is the most direct and grammatically correct replacement, suitable for most contexts where "going good" is used.

progressing well

This alternative emphasizes the process and its positive advancement.

doing well

Similar to "going well" but focuses more on the current state of performance or condition.

proceeding smoothly

Highlights the lack of problems or obstacles in the ongoing process.

advancing nicely

Suggests a positive and pleasing rate of progress.

shaping up nicely

Implies that something is developing in a favorable way, often used for plans or projects.

looking promising

Focuses on the potential for future success based on current progress.

on track

Indicates that progress is consistent with the planned timeline and goals.

getting better

Suggests an improvement in condition or performance over time.

improving steadily

Emphasizes consistent and gradual positive changes.

FAQs

Why is "going good" considered incorrect?

In standard English grammar, adverbs, not adjectives, should modify verbs. Therefore, "going well", where "well" is an adverb, is grammatically correct, while "going good", using the adjective "good", is not.

When is it acceptable to use "going good"?

While grammatically incorrect, "going good" might be acceptable in very informal conversations or dialects where standard grammar rules are relaxed. However, it should be avoided in formal writing and professional settings.

What are some alternatives to "going good"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "going well", "progressing well", or "doing well". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference in meaning between "going good" and "going well"?

While people often use them interchangeably in informal speech, "going well" is the grammatically correct and more widely accepted phrase. In formal writing, using "going well" ensures clarity and credibility.