[Grammar] Fine or Very Good

[Snappy]

If somebody says to me, "How are you?", my answer is usually, "Fine, thank you, and you?"

Is it natural to say, "Very good." instead of "Fine" in usual conversation?

 

[emsr2d2]

If somebody says to me, "How are you?", my answer is usually, "Fine, thank you, and you?"

Is it natural to say, "Very good." instead of "Fine" in usual conversation?

Colloquially, a lot of people say "Good, thanks" as a reply to "How are you?" But technically it's not really right, because "I am good" is not a description of your health. "I am good" on its own means that you are a good person (not evil!). "I am good at...." would mean that you are skilled in a certain area.

 

[2006]

If somebody says to me, "How are you?", my answer is usually, "Fine, thank you, and you?" That's a common and good answer. (actually 'fine thanks, and you?')

Is it natural to say, "Very good." instead of "Fine" in usual conversation?

It's not very common to hear "very good" as an answer, but there is nothing wrong or unnatural about it. If you want to stress that you are better than just fine, you can say "very good.....".

"How are you?" and "I am good." do not usually refer to your health. But if the person asking "How are you?" knows that you are or were sick, they could be mostly inquiring about your health.

Also "I am good.", in this context, does not mean I am a good person.