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Well as an Adverb and an Adjective

Everyone understands that well is an adverb—a rough adverbial equivalent of the adjective good. If you’re good at doing something, you do it well.

That’s good. But unfortunately, well comes with a twist that causes a lot of confusion about polite inquiries into a person’s health.

How are you?

I’m well.

This is a correct response, just not for the reason many people think. A common misperception states that well is correct in this sentence because it’s an adverb. Not so. These people are confusing the above scenario with the following.

How are you doing?

I’m doing well.

When you say I’m well, you’re describing the subject, the noun phrase I. Nouns are described by adjectives, not adverbs. According to the dictionary, well is an adjective meaning in good health. So when you say I’m well, you’re correctly using an adjective to modify a noun phrase.

On the other hand, when you say I’m doing well, then you’re describing the verb doing. That’s a job for an adverb, and well fits the bill.

So when you say I’m well, you’re using an adjective, and when you say I’m doing well, you’re using an adverb.

That said, we turn to a more controversial issue.

How are you?

I’m good.

Sticklers say this is wrong. They say it means not that you’re in good health but that you’re either good at something or just all around a good person. That’s not exactly true. Many dictionaries allow good to mean in good health.