different usages of "well"

English translation: em

13:56 Dec 20, 2003

English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]

English term or phrase: different usages of "well"

I need to ascertain different usages of "well". For example, if someone does not understand our point, we generally say, Well, I didn't mean that. This is also used when we have some doubt, Well, are you sure that you can do it.

I think I have explained my requirements. I'll be thankful if you could explain each and every shade of usage of Well.

Thanks in anticipation.

Rajesh

Selected answer:em

Explanation:
it's often just a more sophisticated and educated-sounding way of saying 'em', e.g. in your two examples above. It gives the speaker a few (milli)seconds to collect his thoughts.

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Note added at 2003-12-20 14:06:33 (GMT)
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well (interjection): used to indicate resumption of discourse or to introduce a remark

Selected response from:

Cilian O'Tuama
Germany
Local time: 14:56

Grading comment

Thanks to all of you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

5 +6

See explication

Isabelle DEFEVERE (X)

4 +6

Cilian O'Tuama

5 +1

see definitions

Graciela Carlyle

4 +2

here we go...

Stefanie Sendelbach

5 +1

a hedge, a lexical filler

Lia Fail (X)

Answers

4 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +6

Cilian O'Tuama
Germany
Local time: 14:56
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in pair: 455

Grading comment

Thanks to all of you!

6 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +6

See explication

Explanation:
well1
adverb (better, best)
1 competently; skilfully.
2 satisfactorily.
3 kindly or favourably.
4 thoroughly, properly or carefully.
5 fully or adequately.
6 intimately o don't know her well.
7 successfully; prosperously.
8 approvingly.
9 attractively.
10 by a long way o well past midnight.
11 justifiably o can't very well ignore him.
12 conceivably; quite possibly o may well be right.
13 understandably o if she objects, as well she may.
14 very much o well worth doing.
15 usually colloq used in combination for emphasis o I'm jolly well going to o I was well pleased!
adj (better, best)
1 healthy.
2 in a satisfactory state.
3 sensible; advisable o would be well to check.
exclamation
1 used enquiringly in expectation of a response or explanation, etc.
2 used variously in conversation, eg to resume a narrative, preface a reply, express surprise, indignation or doubt, etc.
all very well colloq said as an objecting response to a consoling remark: satisfactory or acceptable but only up to a point o It's all very well to criticize.
as well
1 too; in addition.
2 (also just as well) for all the difference it makes o I may as well tell you.
3 (also just as well) a good thing; lucky o It was just as well you came when you did.
as well as ... in addition to ...
be as well to do something to be sensible to do it.
do well out of something to profit from it.
leave or let well alone not to interfere in things that are satisfactory as they are.
mean well to have helpful or kindly intentions.
very well an expression of acceptance in complying with an order or accepting a point, etc.
well and good used to show acceptance of facts or a situation.
well and truly thoroughly; completely.
well away
1 making rapid progress; far away.
2 colloq drunk or asleep, etc.
well done! an expression used to congratulate someone on an achievement, etc.
well enough satisfactory within limits.
well off
1 wealthy; financially comfortable.
2 fortunate; successful.
well out of something colloq fortunate to be free of it.
well up in something colloq having a thorough knowledge of it.
well, well expressing surprise.
well worth something definitely worth it.
[Anglo-Saxon wel.]

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Note added at 2003-12-20 14:09:04 (GMT)
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Source: Harrap\'s

Isabelle DEFEVERE (X)
Spain
Local time: 14:56
Native speaker of:

French,

Spanish

7 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

different usages of see definitions

Explanation:
here you have some definitions...

well (Babylon English-English)
v. gush, flow, stream; rise to the surface and issue forth (water, tears, etc.); be collected (e.g. about water)
adv. excellently, in a good manner; appropriately, properly; significantly; in good spirit; fairly
adj. healthy; good; satisfying; correct; in a good state; all right, in order interj. so; alright; O.K.
n. water hole; spring; source; reservoir; cavity; compartment (Nautical)
n. good, well-being

a search on Merriam-Webster's site or any big dictionary would clarify

Reference: http://www.babylon.com
Reference: http://www.merriam-webster.com

Graciela Carlyle
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:56
Native speaker of:

Spanish
PRO pts in pair: 8

8 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

different usages of here we go...

Explanation:
... well can be used if you hesitate in your talking. You talk and have to think for a moment. In this situation, you can say well... to fill up the silence.

... well is also the adverb of good. "He is doing well" or "He speaks English well" are only two examples.

... well can also be used if you reconsider something and come to another conclusion: "This is expensive! ...well, if you consider all the effort made, the price is actually ok."

... I think there are many more usages of this word. Generally, I'd say it is mostly an "empty" word, means it mostly has no meaning at all.

Stefanie Sendelbach
Germany
Local time: 14:56
Native speaker of:

German
PRO pts in pair: 41

1 hr confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

a hedge, a lexical filler

Explanation:
It seems from your question that you are concerned with the 'hedging' sense of the word 'well'.

Just to add this contribution to the adequate explanations by Cillian & Isabelle above, it occurs as a form of 'linguistic hedging' and is typical of spoken speech, implying hesitancy (e.g. to avoid being too abrupt in a rejection or denial), or that someone is collecting their thoughts.

It therefore has no real mneaning but acts as a speech 'oiler'or lexical filler (see extract below)

http://www.cels.bham.ac.uk/resources/essays/Fumie6.pdf

3.2Methods for analysis3.2.1Analysis for linguistic features
The analysis was performed based mainly on the linguistic features listed below..... Lexical hedges or fillers (e.g. you know, sort of, well, you see)****(2) Tag questions (e.g. "she's very nice, isn't she?")(3) Intensifiers (e.g. just and so, such as "I like him so much.")(4) 'Superpolite' forms (e.g. indirect requests, euphemisms)-6-(5) Direct requests or imperatives(6) Emphatic stress (e.g. "it was a BRILLIANT performance.")(7) 'Empty' adjectives (e.g. divine, charming, cute)(8) Precise colour terms (e.g. magenta, aquamarine), 'hypercorrect' grammar(e.g. consistent use of standard verb forms) and avoidance of strong swear words (e.g. fudge, my goodness).

Lia Fail (X)
Spain
Local time: 14:56
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in pair: 86

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English translation: em

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