Cool MateAs strong as I've ever seen vs Extraordinary vs Incredible vs Remarkable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
As strong as I've ever seen
Extraordinary
Incredible
Remarkable
| As strong as I've ever seen | Extraordinary | Incredible | Remarkable | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əz strɒŋ əz aɪv ˈɛvə siːn//🇺🇸 //əz strɔŋ əz aɪv ˈɛvər siːn// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːdnri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːrdəneri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmɑːkəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmɑːrkəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very strong or powerful. | very unusual or remarkable | Very surprising or hard to believe. | Very special or unusual, worth noticing. |
| 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! | The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | 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 | be, seem, absolutely, just, most, for |
| Antonyms | - | ordinary, common, usual | ordinary, common, unremarkable | ordinary, unremarkable, mundane |
| 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. | Confused with 'remarkable' and 'notable', which have subtle differences in connotation., Using 'remarkable' in a negative context, which doesn't fit its positive meaning., Overusing it; it can sound exaggerated if used too frequently. |
| 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. | Use 'remarkable' to describe something that is impressive, surprising, or extraordinary. It is neutral in tone, so it can be used in most contexts, including both spoken and written language. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations where simpler terms may suffice. |
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Frequently asked questions: As strong as I've ever seen vs Extraordinary vs Incredible vs Remarkable
What's the difference between As strong as I've ever seen, Extraordinary, Incredible, and Remarkable?
As strong as I've ever seen: Very strong or powerful. Extraordinary: very unusual or remarkable Incredible: Very surprising or hard to believe. Remarkable: Very special or unusual, worth noticing.
Which is more common: As strong as I've ever seen, Extraordinary, Incredible, and Remarkable?
Incredible is the most common in everyday English.
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! Remarkable: The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever.
Can I use As strong as I've ever seen, Extraordinary, Incredible, and Remarkable interchangeably?
Not always. As strong as I've ever seen, Extraordinary, Incredible, and Remarkable 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.