[General] "She is a good singer" or "She sings well"

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Linus2005

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When you hear someone singing and she is really good, what kind of comment will you give?

Would an English native speaker prefer using "She is a good singer" other than "She sings well" ?
 

sato

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That's a very good question. Both are equally acceptable and interchangeable, though these days as people's attention to grammar wavers, 'good' is starting to be used more commonly than 'well'.
Personally I advise you to keep using 'well', as it will stop you making mistakes such as "He talks loud."
 

riquecohen

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Personally I advise you to keep using 'well', as it will stop you making mistakes such as "He talks loud."
I've recently learned, on this forum, that "loud" is acceptable as an adverb. It's nice to see someone else who doesn't buy this.:)
 

sato

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I've recently learned, on this forum, that "loud" is acceptable as an adverb. It's nice to see someone else who doesn't buy this.:)

It's perfectly acceptable! ...if you don't know what you're talking about :).
It is a little depressing how many people think that popularity equates to accuracy.
 

Barb_D

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Loud IS an adverb, but not as it applies to volume of sound -- only in offensiveness, like "a loud pink dress."

But what does misusing "loud" as an adverb have to do with "good" being incorrect when you use it to say she's a good SINGER?

She sings good? That's clearly wrong.
She sings well. Perfectly fine.
She's a good singer. Perfectly fine and to me, something I'd be more likely to say.

Did you hear Terri at karaoke? Who knew she was such a good singer?! (
 

Linus2005

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Loud IS an adverb, but not as it applies to volume of sound -- only in offensiveness, like "a loud pink dress."

But what does misusing "loud" as an adverb have to do with "good" being incorrect when you use it to say she's a good SINGER?

She sings good? That's clearly wrong.
She sings well. Perfectly fine.
She's a good singer. Perfectly fine and to me, something I'd be more likely to say.

Did you hear Terri at karaoke? Who knew she was such a good singer?! (

Thank you, Barb. It confirms what i thought.
 
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