Cool MateAs strong as I've ever seen vs Extraordinary vs Incredible
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
As strong as I've ever seen
Extraordinary
Incredible
| As strong as I've ever seen | Extraordinary | Incredible | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əz strɒŋ əz aɪv ˈɛvə siːn//🇺🇸 //əz strɔŋ əz aɪv ˈɛvər siːn// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːdnri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːrdəneri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very strong or powerful. | very unusual or remarkable | Very surprising or hard to believe. |
| Example | The team played as strong as I've ever seen them play this season. | Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, captivating the entire audience. | The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible! |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | |
| Collocations | as strong as ever, strong performance, strong argument | appear, be, feel, most, really, truly | be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to, be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to |
| Antonyms | - | ordinary, common, usual | ordinary, common, unremarkable |
| Common mistakes | Using it in a formal report where simpler phrases are more appropriate., Confusing it with 'as strong as I have ever seen' which is less common., Misusing the tense, say 'I seen' instead of 'I've seen'. | Confused with 'ordinary', thinking they are similar., Using inappropriately in very casual chats; feels too formal., Mispronouncing the word, especially the 'extra-' part. | Using 'incredible' as a noun instead of an adjective., Confusing 'incredible' with 'incredulous' (which means unable to believe)., Overusing 'incredible' to describe everyday situations. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase when describing someone or something that shows exceptional strength. It can be used in both casual and professional settings, but is often more informal. | Use 'extraordinary' to describe something very special or impressive. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but try to avoid it in everyday casual conversations. | Use 'incredible' to describe something amazing or extraordinary. It is appropriate in both casual and serious contexts, but avoid it in overly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: As strong as I've ever seen vs Extraordinary vs Incredible
What's the difference between As strong as I've ever seen, Extraordinary, and Incredible?
As strong as I've ever seen: Very strong or powerful. Extraordinary: very unusual or remarkable Incredible: Very surprising or hard to believe.
Which is more common: As strong as I've ever seen, Extraordinary, and Incredible?
Incredible is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: As strong as I've ever seen, Extraordinary, and Incredible?
Extraordinary is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
As strong as I've ever seen: The team played as strong as I've ever seen them play this season. Extraordinary: Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, captivating the entire audience. Incredible: The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible!
Can I use As strong as I've ever seen, Extraordinary, and Incredible interchangeably?
Not always. As strong as I've ever seen, Extraordinary, and Incredible 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.