How should you answer the simple question, "How are you today?"
There's nothing technically wrong with answering, "I'm well," when asked "How are you?" since "well" in this context is an adjective that generally means "not sick." It's just that "well" is also an adverb that modifies "am," and not "I". The adjective "good" does describe "I," which seems much more to the point of the question.
So, if you would like everyone to know that you are not sick with stomach cramps or a splitting headache, it would be appropriate to answer: "I'm well."
But if you would like everyone to know you feel emotionally good, the more common intention, it would be appropriate -- and grammatically correct to answer: "I'm good" or "I'm great" or "I'm fine, thank you."
But "good" can feel wrong to those with painful memories of being corrected by their know-it-all elders. May I suggest "I am fine"? There's no absolute here, but it's probably better to save "well" for when someone asks you how you are doing.
Here's what Grammar Girl has to say on the topic:
“I'm good” is what you're likely to hear in general conversation, but there are grammar nitpickers out there who will chide you if you say it. The wonderful news is that those nitpickers are wrong: it's perfectly acceptable to say, “I'm good,” and you shouldn't have to shamefully submit to teasing remarks such as the time-honored and leering, “How good are you?”read on...
The nitpickers will tell you that well is an adverb (and therefore modifies verbs) and that good is an adjective (and therefore modifies nouns), but the situation isn't that simple.
The key is to understand how linking verbs differ from action verbs. (Trust me, this is worth it so you can look people in the eye and say, “I'm good,” with absolute confidence.)
Hey Sean. See, It is proper to say it my way.
ReplyDeleteBut I beg to differ. If I were to say that I am good that would imply that I am not doing anything bad when I was asked my state of being. So when someone asks how you are that day, you shoud let them know that you are well.
ReplyDeleteIshamael, you're missing the point: If you want to let people know that you are not ill, then it is appropriate to say, "I am well." The "well" in that sentence is not used as an adverb; rather, it is used as a predicate adjective to modify "I."
ReplyDeleteWhen you use "well" as an adjective, it looks like this: "the well man" or "the well woman," which is opposite of "the ill man" or "the ill woman."
Now, when you use use "well" as an adverb, you might say something like, "I'm doing well" -- that means the same as "I'm feeling good" or "I'm in good spirits" or simply "I'm good."
Now, if someone were to ask you "How are you doing?" and you answered "good" -- that would mean you are doing good, as in "I am in the midst of performing the corporal works of mercy."
Shall I go on? (For more info on this distinction, see the link to Grammar Girl's full comments by clicking "read more.." above.
But....what if you are NOT in the middle of performing the corporal works of mercy? What if you are just, well, not doing badly that day? Maybe I'll just read that link...
ReplyDeleteBy the way, she said DON'T call her Ishmael....and you just did. Hee hee! :)
Thanks Juli, I was just about to correct that mistake of his.
ReplyDeleteBartleby, even though at first I did not understand what the diagraming was for, I did learn the diference between "I am doing well" and "I am good". Thanks! :)
ReplyDelete