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cyclonefence

(4,483 posts)
Sat Oct 3, 2020, 07:01 PM Oct 2020

"Well wishes"

I get it, I really do. You wish someone well, so you must be sending them "well wishes."

Nope. "Well" is an adverb; you use that to describe an action--you are wishing the person (to be) well. The wishes you send can't be well--wishes, afaik, aren't susceptible to illness or wellness.

What you're sending is *good* wishes. Good is an adjective, which is used to describe things. The wishes you are sending are good ones. They can't be well because wishes don't get sick.

Don't say "Thanks for all the well wishes." You will sound like a moron. Say "Thanks for all the good wishes."

/rant off

Just heard the first "well wishes" on CNN and thought I'd speak up. It won't do any good, of course.

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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"Well wishes" (Original Post) cyclonefence Oct 2020 OP
If someone says "I wish you well." is that a well wish or a good wish? ntp AnnaLee Oct 2020 #1
It's a good wish cyclonefence Oct 2020 #3
A deep well. A cold, deep, deep well. ret5hd Oct 2020 #2
Buddy, you got that right. n/t cyclonefence Oct 2020 #4

cyclonefence

(4,483 posts)
3. It's a good wish
Sat Oct 3, 2020, 11:46 PM
Oct 2020

because "wish" is a noun, which takes an adjective to modify it.

When you say "I wish you well" the "to be" is understood. What you are really saying is "I wish you (to be) well."

The "to be" makes the "wish" into a verbal form, the same as saying "I wish you will be well," where the "will be is the verbal form--which takes an adverbial modifier.

"I feel well" can mean "my sense of touch is good," or "I feel (myself to be) well."

I just looked for some backup online, and it seems that this battle has already been lost. So go ahead and say whatever you please. I'll just cringe over here in the corner all by myself.

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