Cool MateAstonishing vs Remarkable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Astonishing
Top 3,000 (common)B2adjective
Remarkable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most common: Remarkable
| Astonishing | Remarkable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmɑːkəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmɑːrkəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very surprising or amazing. | Very special or unusual, worth noticing. |
| Example | She ran 100m in an astonishing 10.6 seconds. | The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, seem, find something, really, truly, absolutely | be, seem, absolutely, just, most, for |
| Antonyms | unimpressive, ordinary, mundane | ordinary, unremarkable, mundane |
| Common mistakes | Used too casually in informal situations., Confused with 'astonished', which describes a feeling rather than something that causes astonishment., Overused in contexts where 'surprising' or 'impressive' might be more appropriate. | 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 'astonishing' to describe something that causes great surprise or wonder. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts, but may be less common in casual everyday conversations. | 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: Astonishing vs Remarkable
What's the difference between Astonishing and Remarkable?
Astonishing: Very surprising or amazing. Remarkable: Very special or unusual, worth noticing.
Which is more common: Astonishing and Remarkable?
Remarkable is the most common in everyday English.
Are Astonishing and Remarkable the same CEFR level?
Astonishing: B2, Remarkable: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Astonishing and Remarkable?
Astonishing: adjective, Remarkable: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Astonishing: She ran 100m in an astonishing 10.6 seconds. Remarkable: The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever.
Can I use Astonishing and Remarkable interchangeably?
Not always. Astonishing 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.