You need help just as much as she does!
Question: Is it okay to say “you need help just as well as she does” to mean the same thing?
Thank you!!!
No, “much” is quantitative and “well” in qualitative. A slimier structure using “well” would be “you help them just as well (much also works here) as she does” There are situations where they can both be used in the same sentence structure when “much” is used qualitatively, meaning how much help was given rather than how often the help occurred. But since this sentence “much” means “often” or denotes the intensity of “need”, “well” doesnt work. I hope thats not too confusing I had to think about that on e a bit.
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Thank you very much. I’m still trying to process it.
Another sentences come to my mind. But still, I’m not sure if they make any sense.
- You just need the same help as she.
- You need help just the same as she.
Thank you.
They are both unnatural.
If you already established “her” as the other subject you could say “The two of you require the same amount of help” Otherwise the example sentence is the most natural way to make that statement.
I think the best way to think of the original sentence is that “much” is describing “need” in the sentence. The intensity or level of “need” can be described using a quantitative word. " I need a lot of help", “how much help do you need?”. “need” or “needing” cant really be done “well” or 'poorly"
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Thank you for pointing out that the two sentences are unnatural.
You know, it’s quite common to make unnatural sentences when I’m learning a foreign language.
I just use my own language to translate it to another language. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. That’s why I have so many questions.
Thank you again, octopusbuddy!!!
No problem. Don’t worry I am not judging your ability to create sentences. I am well aware of how difficult it is to to create your own sentences in another language. I am still a beginner in Chinese and I can barely make unnatural sentences let alone natural ones.
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I know you are very understanding. People here are quite helpful and generous with their time to help beginners. I’m touched. I learned a lot from you guys.
Thanks again!!!
Some easier ways to say it come to my mind:
- Both you and Mary need help.
- She needs help just like you.
Are they okay to your ears?
https://twitter.com/search?q="just%20as%20much%20as"&src=typd&lang=en
She is in great need of help. She needs a lot of help. (quantitative)
You need help just as much as she does. (quantitative)
https://twitter.com/search?q="just%20as%20well%20as"&src=typd&lang=en
She plays the piano well. (qualitative)
You play just as well as she does. (qualitative)
Note: ‘just as well as’ (equally as good as) does not have the same meaning as ‘as well as’ (in addition to).
as well as (in addition to):
In order to fish on Lake Ponca, you will need a fishing license from the State of Oklahoma as well as a fishing permit from Lake Ponca.
Perhaps this was the basis of your confusion? “You need help as well as she does” (or “as well as she” or less formally, “as well as her”) would mean that you need help in addition to her needing help. You need help and she needs help. You both need help. You could say “You need help, just as well as she does,” meaning that in addition to her needing help, you equally need help, but that could create some confusion with the expression that means “equally as good as.” Better to say, “You need help just as much as she does,” implying that you need a lot of help too.
By the way, the ‘help’ that is mentioned in the dialogue could very well imply ‘mental help.’ “You say she needs mental help? You’re the one who needs mental help.” Or more strongly, “You say she’s crazy? You’re the one who’s crazy!” I don’t know if that is what is being expressed in this exchange (I haven’t watched it), but that seems to be what is being implied: You need (mental) help just as much as she does! i.e., You’re in need of as much mental help as she is. You’re as crazy as she is.
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