Cool MateBy George vs Goodness
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
By George
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Goodness
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Most formal: GoodnessMost common: Goodness
| By George | Goodness | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //baɪ ˈdʒɔːdʒ//🇺🇸 //baɪ ˈdʒɔrdʒ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɡʊdnəs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɡʊdnəs/"]/ |
| Meaning | An expression showing surprise or excitement. | The quality of being good or kind. |
| Example | By George, I think I've found the solution! | The goodness of her character was evident in the way she treated others. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | by George, I find, by George, that’s amazing, by George, what a surprise | goodness gracious, goodness me, the goodness of humanity |
| Antonyms | - | wickedness, evil, badness |
| Common mistakes | 'By George' is sometimes confused with 'Oh my God!', Learners may use it in overly formal situations where more modern phrases are preferable. | Confused with 'goodness' vs 'goodness gracious'., Omitting the 'ness' when forming the word., Using it in a formal context where a more specific term would be appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Used mainly in casual conversation to express amazement or enthusiasm. It may sound old-fashioned and not suitable for formal contexts. | Used in both spoken and written English. Common in expressions of surprise or emphasis ('Oh goodness!'). Not typically used in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: By George vs Goodness
What's the difference between By George and Goodness?
By George: An expression showing surprise or excitement. Goodness: The quality of being good or kind.
Which is more formal: By George and Goodness?
Goodness is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: By George and Goodness?
Goodness is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
By George: By George, I think I've found the solution! Goodness: The goodness of her character was evident in the way she treated others.
Can I use By George and Goodness interchangeably?
Not always. By George and Goodness 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.