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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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good well

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"good well" is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
A correct phrase would be "very well" or "well done." For example: "You completed the task very well, congratulations!".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Lindsay just said, "Good, well we'll use it.

M: Good! Good, well done.

News & Media

The Guardian

VC Good, well, that's a nice answer.

News & Media

The Guardian

A good well, the sample bag will be dripping oil".

News & Media

The New Yorker

"Is it good?" Well, now I can't tell you.

If it had done some good, well then perhaps..

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

That is good, well-established internet practice.

News & Media

The Guardian

Martin's biography is a good, well-paced read.

Even good, well-made objects -- without built-in obsolescence -- die.

News & Media

The New York Times

Good, well-cooked salmon doesn't need any sugarcoating.

News & Media

The New York Times

You're trying to be good, well-rounded people.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express that something has been executed to a high standard, replace "good well" with the common and accepted phrase "very well" or "well done".

Common error

Avoid using "good" as an adverb; it's an adjective. If you mean to describe how something was done, choose "well" instead, as in "He sings very well."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good well" typically doesn't function as a standard grammatical unit in English. Instead, it represents a misuse of the adjective "good" in place of the adverb "well". Ludwig indicates that "good well" is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "good well" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig confirms, it's often a misapplication of the adjective "good" where the adverb "well" is needed. While it may appear in some informal contexts, alternatives such as "very well" or "well done" are preferred for clearer and more accurate communication. Remember to avoid using adjectives in place of adverbs to maintain grammatical correctness and ensure your writing is well-received.

FAQs

Is "good well" grammatically correct?

No, "good well" is not typically considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's usually better to use "very well" or "well done".

What does "good well" mean in a sentence?

The phrase "good well" doesn't have a standard meaning in English. Depending on the context, you might be able to use phrases like "very well" or "well-maintained" to convey a similar idea.

Which is the correct phrase, "good well" or "very well"?

"Very well" is the correct phrase. "Good well" is not standard English.

Can I use "good well" to describe something?

While "good well" might be used colloquially in some specific contexts, it's generally not considered standard English. Use "very well", "well-made", or other appropriate alternatives depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: