Cool MateAmazing vs Really astonishing
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Amazing
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Really astonishing
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Amazing
| Amazing | Really astonishing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈrɪəli əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈrɪli əˈstɑnɪʃɪŋ// |
| Meaning | very good or impressive | Very surprising or impressive. |
| Example | The view from the mountain top was simply amazing. | The view from the mountain was really astonishing. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, look, sound, absolutely, pretty, rather, be nothing short of amazing | really astonishing results, really astonishing story, really astonishing talent |
| Antonyms | ordinary, unremarkable, boring | - |
| Common mistakes | Overusing it for average things., Confusing it with 'amaze' as a verb., Using it in negative contexts incorrectly. | Using 'really' with weak adjectives like 'nice'., Confusing 'astonishing' with 'astonished' (the latter is a feeling)., Overusing 'really' instead of using other intensifiers. |
| 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. | Use 'really astonishing' to emphasize surprise or impressiveness. Common in spoken and written English but avoid in formal academic writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Amazing vs Really astonishing
What's the difference between Amazing and Really astonishing?
Amazing: very good or impressive Really astonishing: Very surprising or impressive.
Which is more common: Amazing and Really astonishing?
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. Really astonishing: The view from the mountain was really astonishing.
Can I use Amazing and Really astonishing interchangeably?
Not always. Amazing and Really astonishing 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.