2007-06-22 08:59:40 · 6 answers · asked by lizza 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
you're supposed to say 'doing well'
2007-06-22 09:02:30 · answer #1 · answered by chrisj7682 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first time that I heard this was from an American colleague.
I saw her for the first time and I said "Hello. Hope are you?"
and she replied. "I'm good"
I was surprised and asked how she could say that because 'good' is generally an adjective, as in "I'm a good driver" or "I'm a good person"
As an English English teacher I was shocked, but after a little thought I accepted that our American cousins have re-tuned the language again, demonstrating another difference between AmEng and BritEng.
I don't use it myself, but accept that other English speakers can and do.
Personally I'd respond with "I'm fine" or something similar, but that's just me. I wouldn't say that it's bad grammar. Quoting a superb children's book, I'd simply say "It's not wrong, but we just don't do it"
2007-06-22 17:41:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have grappled with this question, even as an English teacher.
Yes, if you want an adverb that modifies the noun "doing" then you would use "well"; however, I believe "I am good." is also okay. "Good" in that sentence is functioning as an adjective, which modifies "I."
Basically, I tend to think it's a matter of formality and informality. When speaking to a professor, administrator, boss, job interviewer, use "well." When hanging out with buddies, anything goes.
2007-06-22 17:46:33 · answer #3 · answered by sam 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply put, "good" is an adjective, so it must modify (describe) a noun. "Well" is an adverb, so it must modify either an adjective or a verb. When someone asks how you're DOING, "doing" is a verb, so to be correct, you should answer "well." However, in everyday language (when a teacher isn't going to mark you), "good" is used so often, it's practically lost its meaning of describing an adverb. Still, I never say "good" in answer to the question of how I'm doing. Also, if someone asks how you did in a test, you should say "well," because they're not asking about the test itself, they're asking how you DID in it.
2007-06-22 16:18:01 · answer #4 · answered by Elaine P...is for Poetry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"I'm fine" would be a good response. So would, "I'm well, thank you."
But "good" sounds..... improper. I don't know all the rules. I do know enough to know that if it sounds wrong, it is wrong.
2007-06-22 16:05:46 · answer #5 · answered by kiwi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.sparknotes.com/writing/style/topic_95.html
2007-06-22 16:09:54 · answer #6 · answered by Streaker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋