[ti:Ask a Teacher: Well or Good?] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.00]Here at VOA, I am a teacher. [00:04.25]But outside of work, I am a language learner, too. [00:09.74]Having studied three languages, [00:12.69]I know that sometimes the simplest words can be the most elusive. [00:19.82]Today our question comes from a reader named Valentina. [00:25.80]Here it is: [00:27.42]Hello! I would like to know when to use "well" or "good." – Valentina [00:33.72]Hi, Valentina. I hope you're doing well. [00:37.64]Today is a good day to learn English! [00:41.90]I wonder if you followed how I used the words "well" and "good." [00:48.79]In the first sentence, "well" describes the verb "doing." [00:53.83]In the second, "good" describes the noun "day." [00:58.72]"Well" is an adverb. Like many adverbs, [01:04.13]"well" describes the way that something is done. [01:08.75]"Well" answers the question "how?" [01:12.46]"Good" is an adjective. [01:15.51]We use it to describe nouns. [01:18.23]So we can say, "Valentina is a good singer." [01:24.06]We used "good" to describe the "singer." [01:28.92]And we can say, "Valentina sings well." [01:33.80]We used "well" to describe how Valentina sings. [01:39.91]This sounds simple, right? [01:42.60]But there are a few rules that do not follow this formula: [01:48.25]Rule #1: Use good for the five senses [01:53.29]– sight, taste, smell, touch and sound. [01:59.32]Listen to a few examples: [02:02.07]The holiday meal tasted so good. [02:06.06]What is that perfume? It smells good. [02:10.27]This bed feels good. It is so soft! [02:15.41]Sense verbs are linking verbs. [02:18.81]We use "good" with other linking verbs, such as "seem" and "appear." [02:25.68]Rule #2: To talk about physical health, use "well." [02:31.71]Let's hear examples: [02:33.78]I do not feel well. I think I should see a doctor. [02:38.56]You don't look well. How are you feeling? [02:42.48]Rule #3: To talk about an emotional state, use "good." [02:49.56]I felt good when I finally completed the program! [02:53.97]He feels good about helping his mother. [02:57.84]So, how do you answer the common question "How are you?" [03:03.82]In American spoken English, [03:06.30]we usually answer, "I'm good" or just "Good!" [03:11.16]But if you would like to be a little more formal, [03:15.65]you can say, "I'm well" or "I'm doing well." [03:20.35]Lastly, the comparative and superlative words [03:25.24]for "well" and "good" are "better" and "best." [03:29.94]And that's Ask a Teacher. [03:32.37]I'm Alice Bryant. [03:34.64]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM