things go good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things go good" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form is "things go well." You can use it to describe a situation where everything is proceeding positively or successfully. Example: "When we work together, things go well, and we achieve our goals more efficiently."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"When things go good it's easy being the captain.

The New York Times

"The governor tends to get credit when things go good and blame when things go bad," he said.

The New York Times

"When things go good for you," he said, "you find ways to make more things go good for you, and when things go bad, you find ways to make them worse.

The New York Times - Sports

"When things go good, people are very willing to jump in and be part of what's going on here and it's great," he added.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's going to take a bigger drill rig and could take 19-20 days if things go good because we're so deep here — 1,868 feet," he said.

The New York Times

When things go good, the company reaps the benefits.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"We've got a lot of good things going right now".

The New York Times - Sports

In the process, things inevitably go good and bad, and things are built up and broken down.

Vice

There was something positive in the way she was talking, as if she had been to Alaska, looked around, and knew things would go good for me there.

The New Yorker

"It's growth and understanding that things come and go, good, bad, etc.," he responded.

Los Angeles Times

"Noah's ark is about how goodness survives, even after things go bad, good things can come again".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for alternatives like "things turn out well" or "things proceed smoothly" to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using the adjective "good" when the adverb "well" is required to modify the verb "go". Remember that adjectives describe nouns, while adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things go good" functions as a clause expressing a desired positive outcome. While not grammatically standard, it attempts to convey a sense of success or favorable progression. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is considered incorrect.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "things go good" appears in some contexts, particularly in news and media, it's grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, the correct phrasing is "things go well". Although the intent to express a positive outcome is clear, opting for grammatically sound alternatives like "things turn out well" or "things proceed smoothly" enhances clarity and credibility. Remember to use "well" (an adverb) to modify the verb "go" correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things go well

Replaces the grammatically incorrect "good" with the adverb "well" to describe how things proceed.

things turn out well

Focuses on the positive result or outcome of events or situations.

things proceed smoothly

Emphasizes the lack of problems or difficulties in the progression of events.

things are successful

Highlights the achievement of desired outcomes and positive results.

everything works out

Implies that despite potential difficulties, the final result is positive.

events unfold favorably

Suggests that circumstances develop in a beneficial or advantageous manner.

the situation improves

Indicates a positive change or betterment in the current state of affairs.

circumstances align positively

Highlights that various factors are combining to produce a beneficial result.

outcomes are favorable

Focuses specifically on the positive nature of the end results.

fortunes smile upon us

Idiomatic expression suggesting good luck and positive developments.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "things go good"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The proper phrasing is "things go well". "Well" is an adverb that correctly modifies the verb "go".

What's the difference between "things go good" and "things go well"?

"Things go good" uses the adjective "good" incorrectly to modify the verb "go". The correct phrase, "things go well", uses the adverb "well", which is grammatically appropriate for modifying a verb.

Can I use "things go good" in informal conversation?

While some may understand the intended meaning in informal contexts, it's best to use the grammatically correct "things go well" to avoid sounding uneducated or making grammatical errors.

What are some alternatives to saying "things go good"?

Alternatives include "things turn out well", "things proceed smoothly", or simply "things are successful", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.