Through this article we are going to have adequate knowledge on the right usages of ‘well’ as an adverb. Besides we will learn on how ‘well’ acts as an adjective.
In English ‘well’ is certainly an adverb. We can use the word ‘well’ as an adverb without any doubt. An adverb is a word that can modify a verb, an adjective, an adverb or even a whole sentence. The word ‘well’ can fulfill the mentioned criteria. Good and well have the same meanings: good modifies a noun whereas well can be used as an adverb to modify a verb and adjective or another adverb.
Why is ‘well’ an adverb?
Well is an adverb because It always modifies or describes a verb. ‘Well’ is an adverb because it also describes the quality with which the speaker is undertaking the act of being.
Ex- The action can be done well.
Explanation- In the above example the word ‘well’ modifies or qualifies the previous verb ‘done’.
Ex- My friends are not doing very well.
Explanation- In the above example the word ‘well’ describes or qualifies the previous word ‘very’. So it is an adverb here.
2. How is ‘well’ an adverb?
‘Well’ is an adverb in the sense that It has the capability to qualify a verb. an adjective and also another adverb. It can show us the manner of an action that takes place. We can easily come to know how an exception is performed by somebody or something in the present context of the action. So the word ‘well’ can be used in a large manner as an adverb.
Ex– My friend can speak English very well.
Explanation- In this example the word ‘well’ is used as an adverb because it modifies another adverb ‘very’. So we can say that ‘well’ can be used as an adverb in a sentence whenever we need to use it as an adverb.
Ex– Souvik drives the car well.
Explanation- In this example the word ‘well’ is used as an adverb because it qualifies or modifies the previous verb ‘drives’. So we can say that ‘well’ can be used as an adverb in a sentence when we need to use it as an adverb whenever we construct any sentence in English.
When is ‘well’ an adverb?
To mention the quality of an action we use ‘well’. It shows the good quality of an action that comes off. We use ‘well’ as an adverb. It shows the readers that the doer of an action does his job in the good standard. It can catch the attention of others in a good way.
Ex– We work very well in the early morning.
Explanation- In the above example the word ‘well’ is used as an adverb. It qualifies the meaning of the verb ‘work’.
Ex- Shake the bottle very well before using it.
Explanation- Here the word ‘well’ modifies or qualifies the meaning of another adverb ‘very’. So we can say that ‘well’ can be used as an adverb to qualify the meaning of a verb.
What is the type of adverb ‘well’?
The adverbs are used as adverbs of manners when they show how the actions are done. The above-mentioned word ‘well’ is an adverb of manners because through its use we can show how an action is accomplished or carried out. Adverbs of manners normally come after the verbs.
Ex- Suman did well on his test.
Explanation- The above example shows that the word ‘well’ is used as an adverb of manners because it qualifies the meaning of the verb ‘did’. It is an adverb of manners because ‘well’ is used after the verb.
Ex- Neeta sings well in the competition.
Explanation- The above example shows that the word ‘well’ is used as an adverb of manners because it modifies the meaning of the previous word ‘sings’. It is a verb. So, we can say that ‘well’ can be used as an adverb of manners.
Examples of ‘well’ as an adverb.
- Pratick finished the race well before the other runners.
- Sayon does his task well.
- I wished them well.
- Your plan worked well.
- We know him very well.
Detailed explanations:
Ex–Pratick finished the race well before the other runners.
Explanation- In the above example ‘well’ is used as an adverb because it tells more about the verb ‘finished’.
Ex-Sayon does his task well.
Explanation- In the above example the word ‘well’ is used as an adverb. It qualifies the meaning of the verb ‘does’.
Ex- I wished them well.
Explanation- Here the word ‘well’ is an adverb that qualifies or tells more about the verb ‘wished’.
Ex-Your plan worked well.
Explanation-This example shows that ‘well’ acts as an adverb qualifying a verb.
Ex- We know him very well.
Explanation- In the above example the word ‘well’ modifies the meaning of another adverb ‘very’.
Can we use ‘well’ as an adjective?
The above discussion clearly makes us realize that ‘well’ is an adverb. It is also an adjective and tells us more about a noun or a pronoun. So we can use it as an adjective.
Ex- My mother is well now.
Explanation-Here ‘well’ is used as an adjective because it qualifies the meaning of the noun ‘mother’.
How is ‘well’ an adjective?
‘Well’ is an adjective in the sense that it means good condition or in good health. It qualifies the meaning of a noun or pronoun. It is used after the ‘be verbs’ to indicate the quality of the nouns or the pronouns.
Ex- I am feeling very well here.
Explanation- Here ‘well’ is an adjective. It is used after the verb ‘feeling’ and it qualifies its meaning also.
Ex-You don’t look well today.
Explanation- In this example ‘well’ is used as an adjective. It qualifies the meaning of the pronoun ‘you’ so we can say that ‘well’ can be used as an adjective also.
When is ‘well’ an adjective?
We normally use ‘well as an adjective after the linking verbs. The linking verbs are be verbs, look, get. We use ‘well’ as an adjective to mean good health.
Ex- He looks well.
Explanation- Here the word ‘well’ is an adjective. It qualifies the meaning of the pronoun ‘he’.
Ex- We are getting well soon.
Explanation- In this example ‘well’ is an adjective. It tells us more about the pronoun ‘we’.
Conclusion
Through the article the readers will get to know about the right usages of ‘well’. We will get more information on ‘well’. This will also help us to know how and when ‘well’ is used as an adverb and as an adjective.
Hi…. I am Goutam Datta. I have completed a double M. A. in English and B. Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a part of the LambdaGeeks.