When we’re greeting someone, it is common courtesy to ask how they are doing to ensure they are in good health and that everything is well with them. Unfortunately, this has become a throwaway question to which we often give little thought. Still, between “I am fine” and “I am good,” which one better answers the question?
“I am fine” and “I am good” are used to describe when things are acceptable or satisfactory, with some difference in degree communicated through tone. “I am good” is considered to be the less formal statement of the two and even substandard English outside of the casual conversation.
Both “fine” and “good” function as adjectives describing one’s state of being, and they overlap a great deal in meaning. We’ll take a closer look at these differences in meaning and why many still favor “fine” instead of “good” for formal communication.
I Am Fine vs. I Am Good
Now that we’ve observed the elements of each phrase, let’s take a broader look at their usage as a whole — particularly in response to these common questions. We can use either phrase in combination with or in the place of “no, thanks.”
In Response to “Do You Need Some Assistance?”
One case where we are likely to use one phrase or the other is when someone asks if we need help. Our level of confidence and the tone of our voice can convey two very different meanings regardless of which word we use.
To respond with “I am fine” may imply that we are only getting by, possibly hinting that we are struggling and would welcome assistance. A more confident tone would indicate that we are doing just fine without assistance and have everything under control.
A sharp response can even indicate that we found the question offensive. Perhaps it’s pride; perhaps it’s a desire not to burden others with our issues, but, sadly, many of us do not like to accept help, even when someone explicitly offers it to us.
“I am good” can also express that we are confident in our ability to perform the task independently. It’s less likely to imply that we might need help at that moment, but a sarcastic tone might imply that we could have used assistance earlier.
If someone says, “I’m good now,” it might imply the person is too late with their offer because the task is nearly complete.
In Response to “Would You Like Some More?”
When someone offers you a second helping, you could also use either of these phrases as a valid response.
Both “I am fine” and “I am good” in this situation imply that you don’t feel like having more and that you are full or satisfied. The main idea here is contentment.
Is “I Am Good” Grammatically Correct?
Some may argue that using the phrase “I’m good” in response to the question “How are you?” is grammatically incorrect, or perhaps even showing a misunderstanding of the question.
However, saying “I am good” and even its contracted version “I’m good” is correct because it is an adjective that describes the subject through the linking verb “am” (source).
Many make the mistake of assuming that “good” functions as an adverb here since adverbs modify verbs. For instance, we would say “she cooks well” and not “she cooks good.”
Similarly, let us examine a situation where we’d like to comment on someone’s ability to play an instrument. “You play the guitar well” would be the correct phrasing for this sentence, whereas “You play the guitar good” is not correct.
To correct this, we’d need to restructure the sentence to describe a noun instead of the verb “play,” like “You played a good song on the guitar.” Now the adjective “good” comments on the quality of the song as opposed to the quality of the musician’s playing.
“Am” is not an action verb but a linking verb, meaning we’d need an adjective or noun in the predicate and not an adverb. Consider how we say “I am tired” and not “I am tiredly.” Since “good” is an adjective, “I am good” is a grammatically correct response when someone asks us how we are, even if it is informal.
Using Informal Language
Just because more people use a phrase in an informal setting does not make it grammatically incorrect. They are simply different dictions that we use based on our audience (source).
Informal communication is most commonly spoken and uses slang, abbreviations, and expressions of emotion (source).
We should still avoid these for formal communication, which is a more professional approach. In professional writing, there is little room for emotive writing where there is a preference for facts.
Many view the adverbial forms of “fine” and “good” for professional writing to be substandard. However, as we’ve already covered, they’re both adjectives in this context. We still tend to see “good” as very basic wording, and there are better ways to describe things, such as “fine” or “well.”
Therefore, should you be in a more formal setting or with people you are not acquainted with, it would be better manners to use a more formal choice of words.
I Am Good as an Exclamation
A rather different use of the phrase “I am good” is when it functions as an exclamation, such as “Man, I am good!” This is a statement where someone is bragging about their competence or skill concerning something.
Someone who uses this phrase will likely come off as boastful and immodest. This is perhaps another reason why many see “I am good” as an informal phrase.
Fine vs. Good as Adjectives
As we take a closer look at the adjectives “fine” and “good,” you’ll notice that they’re very similar in meaning. Both are relatively neutral terms that can imply that we feel happy, healthy, or just okay, depending more on the person’s tone of voice and the context in which they use it.
Good as an Adjective
“Good” can function as a noun, adverb, or adjective, and it has a bit more versatility than “fine.”
As an adjective, the primary definition of “good” is adequate, satisfactory, profitable, suitable, agreeable, or honorable. In the same general sense, we often use it informally to mean “having everything desired or required” (source).
Though this last usage is perhaps more of an Americanism, the Cambridge Dictionary lists essentially the same definition for “I’m good” as an informal response to a question regarding our wellbeing (source).
The second definition of “good” as an adjective is virtuous, right, or commendable. The possibility of confusing these meanings is one reason why so many frown on using the expression “I am good.”
Still, in a comfortable and informal setting, it’s pretty common to respond with “I am good” or the contracted “I’m good” when someone asks how we are doing, if we need help, or whether we’d like a second helping of food.
Fine as an Adjective
“Fine” has a handful of definitions, ranging from all right to excellent, though when we use it in response to the question “How are you?” it means we are in good health, reasonably happy, or content (source).
Here, again, the definitions of “fine” and “good” as adjectives largely overlap except where we sometimes use “good” to mean morally good or praiseworthy.
However, “fine” is also a convention statement used to show agreement. Consider this interaction:
Person 1: Will you please tidy up before our guests arrive?
Person 2: Fine. I will.
On the surface, this interaction shows agreement — that Person 2 will comply with the wishes of Person 1. However, we don’t need further context to notice the passive-aggressiveness laced into this response, primarily due to its terse nature.
In this case, we could view the use of “fine” as being less about showing agreement but more about the absence of an argument.
When we communicate, our words carry a lot of meaning; however, how we say things — our tone of voice, our word choice, and the likes — say a lot more. The small, intentional contradictions that we observed in these other uses show why saying “I am fine” may mean that we aren’t actually fine.
Linking Verbs and Predicate Adjectives
There is no real difference in the structure of each phrase as they each contain the same parts of speech. Though they are just three simple words, both phrases constitute complete sentences because they have a subject and a predicate.
In each case, we have a linking verb that connects the predicate adjective to the subject. While we learn about subjects and verbs when we are very young, not many people remember or are familiar with predicates. A predicate is merely the part of a sentence that says something about the subject.
A predicate adjective is an adjective that comes after a linking verb like “am” and describes something about the subject. Both “fine” and “good” are predicate adjectives (source).
| I | am | fine. |
| Subject | Linking verb | Predicate adjective |
| I | am | good. |
| Subject | Linking verb | Predicate adjective |
Linking verbs are not action verbs but state of being verbs. Verbs of being include forms of “to be,” such as “is,” “am,” “are,” “was,” “were,” etc. (source).
When someone asks, “How are you?” they are enquiring about your state of being or condition. Our response may indicate we are currently in the state of enjoyment or merely finding things satisfactory, depending on which adjective and tone we use.
Why Only Reasonably Happy?
In terms of degrees of comparison, to say something is fine or good is close to saying that we’re neutral about it. If we were to put the acceptable responses to this question on a scale from absolutely horrible to absolutely wonderful, using either would sit right about in the middle.
This would show that while things could be worse, they could also be better. Perhaps you are only mildly satisfied with how things are, and this would be a fitting response.
Still, if you feel like things are better or worse than just being mediocre, then we’d suggest picking a different response.
There are many other informal ways to respond to this question, such as “not bad,” “not too shabby,” “can’t complain,” and “pretty good.” It is essential to develop your vocabulary so you can use a phrase that adequately describes how you’re feeling (source).
Other Responses to “How Are You?”
There are other ways to respond to the question, “How are you?” We will pay particular attention to their formality and the amount of pleasure they express.
I Am Well
We might say “I am well,” although some might think we misunderstood the question since “well” in this context most often refers to being free of disease or being healthy.
However, there’s nothing grammatically wrong with using “well” in this context as “well” is also an adjective that can mean “in a satisfactory condition.” Using well” in this context does tend to come off as more formal than either “I’m fine” or “I’m good.”
I Am Doing Well or I Am Doing Fine?
Once we add the action verb “doing” to the mix, “well,” “fine,” or “good” must be able to function as an adverb to modify the verb. “Well” fits quite naturally as an adverb and is usually the best response.
Many grammarians view “fine” and “good” as substandard English when using them as adverbs. “Fine” as an adverb means very well or all right. This article was written for strategiesforparents.com.
If you’re interested in reading more on the difference between “well” and “good,” please see our article, “Doing Well or Doing Good: Can Both Be Correct?”
Final Thoughts
Both “I am fine” and “I am good” function as a way to communicate that things are satisfactory or that we do not need anything further.
“I am fine” is a more formal response to the question of how we are doing. However, it still conveys a feeling of mediocrity about our current circumstances, and tone of voice can significantly alter its meaning.
“I am good” is a more informal response, but it can speak to our pleasure at how well things have been going — whether that be due to how we perceive things or just simply because things have been going our way.