"I like to look well" or "I like to look good"
(when talking about how one dresses). Someone told me both are correct, but is one more proper than the other?
2007-01-01 15:18:44 · 9 answers · asked by Averill 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
I like to look good is proper.
Who says, "I like to look well" !
2007-01-01 18:28:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone here has been right, so I'll give the old school "parts of speech" answer.
The word "well" is an adverb, (unless you are talking about health) and describes verbs (or adjectives, or other adverbs, but mainly verbs).
The word "good" is an adjective, and describes nouns (or pronouns).
We do also use the word "well", as pointed out above, as an adjective which describes the state of being healthy, as in "Get well soon," or "You don't look well, at all." In the right context, the sentence "I look well" could mean that you look healthy. But it doesn't describe your clothes. They don't get sick so they can't be well, either.
So, in the sentence "I look well", the word "well" (unless you are talking about your health) is an adverb. The only verb in the sentence is "look", so the sentence means "I do a good job of looking."
In the sentence "I look good", the word "good" is an adjective. The only noun or pronoun in the sentence is the pronoun "I", so that's the only word "good" can describe, so it means "I'm attractive."
There are plenty of parts of the country where adverbs are being lost, and this distinction isn't made any more.
And there are plenty of people who are seriously bothered by the loss.
My advice is always to know the difference, and use whatever your family says when you're with the family, and use the grammar nerd version of English when you are on the job or with strangers. No one notices correct grammar - it sort of fades into the background, but some people will definitely notice non-standard usage and use it to decide that you are less intelligent or educated than you really are.
M
E
2007-01-02 00:24:56 · answer #2 · answered by Martha E 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I like to look well
means that you like the fact that your eyesight is healthy, or that you are good at observing things...
I like to look good
means you are pleased when your clothes and physical appearance are at their best...
2007-01-01 23:30:06 · answer #3 · answered by chocolahoma 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you like to "look well," I believe you hope to give an impression of good health.
If you like to "look good," you are after wearing clothes that fit you well, are fashionable, and suit your mood and/or personality.
2007-01-01 23:29:29 · answer #4 · answered by Pamela B 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I like to look good.
2007-01-01 23:20:54 · answer #5 · answered by ruth4526 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i like to look good talks about how people see you.. i like to look well talks about the act of looking with your own eyes.
2007-01-01 23:22:21 · answer #6 · answered by gvchina 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
SOME ONE IS WRONG!!!!
"well" is a "state of being"... like your health...(or mental state!) lol!
"good" is a word that DESCRIBES something... like how you like to look!!!
2007-01-01 23:25:25 · answer #7 · answered by photogram1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"i like to good" is more proper
2007-01-02 01:23:25 · answer #8 · answered by tarena 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"I like to look good."
2007-01-01 23:30:25 · answer #9 · answered by rosey 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋