Meaning & use
good things
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Meanings
phraseplural
pleasant events, lucky chances, or positive developments that happen to someone.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun phrase; it takes a plural verb, as in 'Good things come to those who wait.'
Patterns
- good things happen to someone
- good things come from something
- good things come to those who wait
Good things have been happening to her since she moved to the coast.
He believes that good things come to people who work hard.
After a difficult year, several good things finally came his way.
phraseplural
praise, approval, or favorable comments about someone or something.
Grammar: Often used with verbs like 'say', 'hear', or 'have' when talking about praise; it does not usually take 'a' or a number.
Patterns
- say good things about someone
- hear good things about something
- have good things to say about someone
Her teachers always say good things about her writing.
I've heard good things about that new bakery on the corner.
The critics had good things to say about the film's music.
Common combinations
- good things happen
- Good things happen when you least expect them.
- good things come to those who wait
- Don't rush the process — good things come to those who wait.
- say good things about
- Everyone says good things about the new manager.
- hear good things
- I heard good things about your presentation.
- good things take time
- Building a career is slow work; good things take time.
Synonyms and how they differ
- blessings
- Suggests gifts or benefits from God or fate, so it sounds more religious or formal than 'good things'.
- benefits
- Refers to practical advantages, not pleasant events in general; use it for results of a policy or action.
- praise
- Means words of approval only, while 'good things' can also mean pleasant events.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: good things or goods?
good things vs goods
Means products or possessions that can be bought or sold, not pleasant events. 'Good things' is about events or praise, while 'goods' is about things you own or trade.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'good things' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase 'good things come to those who wait' uses the plural noun phrase correctly. Option An is wrong because 'goods' (products) is meant, not 'good things'. Option C is wrong because 'a good things' is not grammatical. Option D is wrong because 'a good things' uses a singular article with a plural phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “good things”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.