Cool MateAmazing vs Damned good
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Amazing
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Damned good
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: AmazingMost common: Amazing
| Amazing | Damned good | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //dæmd ɡʊd//🇺🇸 //dæmd ɡʊd// |
| Meaning | very good or impressive | Very good or excellent. |
| Example | The view from the mountain top was simply amazing. | If you think that movie was boring, you should check it out; it's actually damned good. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, look, sound, absolutely, pretty, rather, be nothing short of amazing | damned good time, damned good deal, damned good job |
| Antonyms | ordinary, unremarkable, boring | - |
| Common mistakes | Overusing it for average things., Confusing it with 'amaze' as a verb., Using it in negative contexts incorrectly. | Used in formal contexts where it's inappropriate., Misunderstood as overly negative due to the word 'damned'., Confused with other expressions of praise. |
| Usage notes | Use 'amazing' to describe something that exceeds expectations. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but avoid using it excessively in formal writing. | This phrase is often used in casual conversations to express strong approval; it can be considered slightly vulgar depending on the audience. |
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Frequently asked questions: Amazing vs Damned good
What's the difference between Amazing and Damned good?
Amazing: very good or impressive Damned good: Very good or excellent.
Which is more formal: Amazing and Damned good?
Amazing is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Amazing and Damned good?
Amazing is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Amazing: The view from the mountain top was simply amazing. Damned good: If you think that movie was boring, you should check it out; it's actually damned good.
Can I use Amazing and Damned good interchangeably?
Not always. Amazing and Damned good are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.