the good
the good — idiom
1. the enjoyable experiences, pleasures, and benefits that life gives to a person
the enjoyable experiences, pleasures, and benefits that life gives to a person
After years of hard work, Rachel felt she deserved to enjoy the good that life had to offer.
collocation: enjoy / deserve + the good
The festival was a celebration of all the good in the community — food, music, and friendship.
the good in [noun phrase]
When Wei retired, he decided to travel and finally taste the good that the world has to share.
The nurse told Valentina to focus on the good in her life rather than worrying about small problems.
- enjoy the good
- focus on the good
- the good in life
- the good that
- the bad
the unpleasant things that happen to people
Grammar Patterns
the good + [verb]
Common Mistakes
2. actions, choices, or behaviour that are considered morally right, honest, and vi
actions, choices, or behaviour that are considered morally right, honest, and virtuous
The teacher explained that children must learn the difference between the good and the bad from an early age.
paired contrast: the good and the bad
Many religious texts encourage believers to pursue the good and turn away from evil.
Astrid's parents taught her to always choose the good, even when the easy path was tempting.
collocation: choose / pursue + the good
The novel explores the struggle between the good and the evil that exists in every person.
the good + the evil (abstract dichotomy)
- the difference between good and evil
- choose the good
- pursue the good
- the good and the bad
- righteousness
stronger moral or religious tone; less common in everyday speech
- virtue
focuses on personal moral character rather than abstract moral force
Grammar Patterns
the good + [verb]
Usage Note
Often appears in fixed pairs: 'the good and the bad' or 'the good and the evil'.
Common Mistakes
3. people who are morally upright, kind, and honest, considered together as a group
people who are morally upright, kind, and honest, considered together as a group
In times of crisis, the good in the community often step forward to help those who are struggling.
the good in [place] + plural verb
The memorial ceremony honored the good who had given their lives to rescue others during the earthquake.
Sana believes that the good in the world far outnumber those who wish to harm others.
the good + plural verb agreement
The charity was founded by the good who wanted to make a real difference in poor neighborhoods.
- the good in the community
- the good in the world
- the good who give
- help the good
- the righteous
more formal and religious in tone
- the virtuous
emphasises personal moral excellence
- the wicked
people who are morally bad or evil
- the bad
people who behave immorally
Grammar Patterns
the good + [plural verb]
Usage Note
Takes a plural verb: 'the good are…', not 'the good is…'. This sense refers to people, not an abstract concept.
Common Mistakes
4. the part of a person's character that is kind, generous, honest, and wants to do
the part of a person's character that is kind, generous, honest, and wants to do the right thing
Camille knew that deep down her brother had the good in him, even when he made bad choices.
have the good in + possessive pronoun
A thief in a film finally listens to the good inside him and returns the stolen money.
the good inside [someone]
Astrid's apology showed the good in her character — she admitted her mistake without making excuses.
Despite his angry words, Otis could see the good in his friend and decided to forgive him.
see the good in [someone]
- the good in someone
- see the good in
- bring out the good in
- the good inside
- better nature
similar meaning; emphasises this side being the morally better part of someone
- good side
more informal; can also refer to a positive aspect of someone's personality generally
- the bad in someone
the selfish, dishonest, or cruel part of a person's character
Grammar Patterns
[possessive] + the good in [someone]
Usage Note
Almost always used with a possessive or qualifying phrase: 'the good in him / her / them', 'the good in someone's character'. Not used alone without context.
Common Mistakes
Etymology
The word 'good' comes from Old English 'gōd', meaning 'virtuous, desirable, favourable'. It traces back through Proto-Germanic '*gōdaz' to the Proto-Indo-European root '*ghedh-', meaning 'to unite or be associated with', suggesting the original idea was of something that fits together well or is suitable. The use of 'the good' as a noun phrase to refer collectively to virtuous people or moral rightness dates back to Old English and is found in the earliest Biblical translations into English.