Wellis a discourse marker, adverb or adjective.
Wellas a discourse marker
In speaking, we often usewellat the start of what we say. Its main function is to show that we are thinking about the question that we have been asked:
A:How was your meeting?
B:Well,it’s difficult to say. I think they liked our presentation but I am not sure.
A:How long would it take to drive from Dundee to here?
B:Well,let me see. I’d say it would take at least three hours, if not more.
We can usewellto show a slight change in topic, or when what we are about to say is not quite what is expected:
A:Have you found a house yet?
B:Well,we’ve stopped looking actually. Nadia’s company has offered her another contract and we’ve decided to stay in Edinburgh for another year.
A:Did you like that book?
B:Well,it was interesting, but war stories are not really my favourite.
We can usewellwhen we want to change what we have said slightly, or say something in another way:
I’m not going on a hiking holiday. I hate walking.Well, I hate being out in the cold weather.
Fiona is feeling better.Well, she’s much better than she was. She’ll be back to work on Monday.
We can usewellwhen we admit or acknowledge that something is correct or true:
A:It’ll take four hours to get to Glasgow.
B:It’ll take more than that. We’ll have to stop for a break somewhere.
A:Well,that’s true.
We can usewellwith a rising intonation as a type of question when we want someone to tell us something. In this case, it meanstell meortell us. Be careful when you use this, as it can sound very direct:
A:There’s something I have to tell you.
B:What is it?
A:[silence]
B:Well?
Well?What did you say to her?
See also:
Discourse markers (so, right, okay)
Wellas an adverb
We usewellas an adverb when something is done to a good standard or in a good way:
He drives verywell.
I work verywelllate at night.
We often usewellbefore-edforms, often with a hyphen:
This table isn’t verywell-made.
I like my steakwell-cooked.(I like my steak cooked for a long time.)
A:I’ve passed my driving test!
B:Well done.
Wellandgood
Wellandgoodhave a similar meaning, butgoodis not used as an adverb. It is used as an adjective.
| wellused as an adverb modifyingsings |
| goodused as an adjective modifyingsinger |
Wellas an adjective
We usewellas an adjective, normally after a linking verb such asbe, lookorget, to mean ‘in good health’:
A:How are you?
B:I’m verywell,thanks. And you?
Are you feeling OK? You don’t look verywell.
In American English,it is common to usegoodinstead ofwellin this context. This is less common in British English:
A:And how’s your mother?
B:She’sgood.Thanks for asking.