to be good for

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be good for" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that something has a positive effect or benefit on someone or something. It can also imply that something is suitable or appropriate for a particular purpose. Example: Eating fruits and vegetables is good for your health.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That has to be good for us.

The New Yorker

That has to be good for business".

The New York Times

That is going to be good for him, and it's going to be good for us".

The New York Times

Isn't enclosure supposed to be good for artists?

Harvard University

Bike lanes happen to be good for local businesses.

The New York Times

Radiation was even supposed to be good for you.

The New York Times

It has got to be good for the brain".

Independent

Isn't avocado supposed to be good for your skin?

The New York Times - Food

Isn't yoga supposed to be good for you?

The New York Times

"I elected a president to be good for the country.

The New York Times

You build to be good for the long term.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In a business context, use "to be good for" to show how a strategy or decision benefits the company: "This new marketing plan is going to be good for our sales figures".

Common error

Avoid confusing "to be good for" with "to be good at". "To be good for" indicates a benefit, while "to be good at" indicates a skill. For instance, say "This exercise is good for your back" (benefit), not "This exercise is good at your back" (skill).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be good for" primarily functions as a predicate adjective phrase. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase indicates a positive effect or benefit and also suggests suitability for a specific purpose. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts to denote positive impacts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be good for" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates a beneficial or positive effect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts, from discussing health benefits to evaluating business strategies. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When writing, remember to use it to clearly convey a positive impact or suitability, and be mindful of the distinction between "to be good for" (benefit) and "to be good at" (skill). By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "to be good for" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be beneficial for

Very close synonym, nearly interchangeable, but slightly more formal.

to benefit

Directly indicates a positive outcome or advantage, differing in grammatical structure as it's a verb.

to be advantageous to

Formal synonym emphasizing the favorable nature of something, using a more sophisticated vocabulary.

to be helpful for

Focuses on providing assistance or aid, implying a more practical benefit.

to do someone good

Emphasizes the positive effect on a person, altering the sentence structure.

to be of use to

Highlights the utility or service provided, changing the tone to be slightly more formal.

to serve well

Implies a positive contribution or function, using a more concise verb phrase.

to be conducive to

Indicates that something promotes or facilitates a specific outcome, using more academic wording.

to contribute positively to

Emphasizes the act of adding value or improvement, using a more detailed phrase.

to have a positive impact on

Focuses on the effect or influence exerted, using a more descriptive phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "to be good for" in a sentence?

Use "to be good for" to describe something that provides a benefit or has a positive impact. For example, "Exercise is "to be good for" your health" or "This policy is "to be good for" the environment."

What is a synonym for "to be good for"?

Synonyms for "to be good for" include "to benefit", "to be beneficial for", or "to be advantageous to". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "to be good on" instead of "to be good for"?

No, "to be good on" has a different meaning. It usually refers to something being readily available or generous, such as "They are good on providing support". Use "to be good for" when indicating a benefit or positive effect.

What's the difference between "to be good for" and "to be suitable for"?

"To be good for" implies a benefit or positive impact, while "to be suitable for" means appropriate or fitting for a specific purpose. For example, "This medicine is "to be good for" your cough" (benefit), versus "This room is "to be suitable for" meetings" (appropriateness).