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is it correct to say “i’m well”?

if someone asks me how i’m doing, i usually say “i’m good, how are you?” but it seems like that’s not proper at all.would saying “i’m well” (NOT “i’m doing well”) make sense?like this:-“how are you?” -“i’m well, how are you?”

10 Answers

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Zetta Hackett

Feb 20, 2025

Both are considered proper. The verb am in “I am well” is a linking verb that takes an adjective which modifies the subject, not the verb. I am happy (not happily). I am sad (not sadly). I am good.The objection to I am good is not that it is an adjective, but that good should be reserved to describe virtue, not health. This objection is not accepted by any serious, contemporary grammar commentator.The objection to I am good because good is an adjective while well can be both verb and adjective is based on a very poor understanding of English grammar, and the linking verb in particular.I may be outvoted by those who invent their own explanations, but please check my source for an authoritative explanation.... Show More
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Zetta Hackett

Feb 20, 2025

This Site Might Help You.RE:is it correct to say “i’m well”?if someone asks me how i’m doing, i usually say “i’m good, how are you?” but it seems like that’s not proper at all.would saying “i’m well” (NOT “i’m doing well”) make sense? like this:-“how are you?”-“i’m well, how are…... Show More
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Zetta Hackett

Feb 20, 2025

“I’m well” is the proper way to respond. I think “I’m well” instead of “I’m doing well” sounds much better, too.... Show More
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Zetta Hackett

Feb 20, 2025

“I’m well” is the proper response. Technically, “I’m good” would only be correct if someone was asking about your skill level in something.... Show More
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Zetta Hackett

Feb 20, 2025

I’m with Frank on this. “Be” verbs take an adjective, so “I am good” is correct. Many people think “I am well” sounds more “educated” or “elegant,” but it means “I am no longer sick.” You can always just say “I am fine,” since people who don’t understand grammar have yet to start “correcting” that to “I am finely.”Here is the good vs. well discussion from merriam-webster.com:An old notion that it is wrong to say “I feel good” in reference to health still occasionally appears in print. The origins of this notion are obscure, but they seem to combine someone’s idea that good should be reserved to describe virtue and uncertainty about whether an adverb or an adjective should follow feel. Today nearly everyone agrees that both good and well can be predicate adjectives after feel. Both are used to express good health, but good may connote good spirits in addition to good health.Although this discussion uses “feel,” “be” (“am,” “are,” “is,” et al) and “feel” and other verbs are linking verbs. Linking verbs take adjectives.... Show More
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Zetta Hackett

Feb 20, 2025

No, it should be “I’m well”. Always use a capital for I.... Show More
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Zetta Hackett

Feb 20, 2025

You are right that “I am good” is not correct – in any other language it is “well” and good is only used for food and stuff like that.I’m well is acceptable and so is I am doing well. Either is fine, you wouldn’t be penalized one way nor the other.... Show More

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