Crazy vs Other people were going berserk

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Crazy

InformalTop 1,000 (very common)A2adjective

Other people were going berserk

InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most common: Crazy
 CrazyOther people were going berserk
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈkreɪzi/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkreɪzi/"]/🇬🇧 //bəˈzɜːk//🇺🇸 //bərˈzɜrk//
MeaningVery strange or unusual; not normal.Other people were getting very angry or crazy.
ExampleShe has a crazy idea about how to solve the problem.Other people were going berserk when the concert was canceled.
RegisterInformalInformal
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelA2-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsbe, seem, sound, really, absolutely, completely, with, be, go, drive somebody, absolutely, completely, at, be, seem, sound, really, absolutely, completely, withgo berserk, went berserk, going berserk, berserk with rage, drive someone berserk
Antonymscalm, sane, normal-
Common mistakes'Crazy' should not be used to describe mental health issues as it's considered insensitive., Learners often confuse 'crazy' with 'wild' when they mean 'uncontrolled'., Sometimes used as a noun ('the crazy'), which is incorrect.Confusing with 'berserk' as a noun., Using in overly formal contexts., Mispronouncing the word.
Usage notesUsed in informal contexts to describe something that is surprising, wild, or insane. Avoid in formal writings or professional settings.Used informally to describe wild or frantic behavior, often in a chaotic context. Avoid in formal writing.

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Other people were going berserk

Frequently asked questions: Crazy vs Other people were going berserk

What's the difference between Crazy and Other people were going berserk?

Crazy: Very strange or unusual; not normal. Other people were going berserk: Other people were getting very angry or crazy.

Which is more common: Crazy and Other people were going berserk?

Crazy is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Crazy: She has a crazy idea about how to solve the problem. Other people were going berserk: Other people were going berserk when the concert was canceled.

Can I use Crazy and Other people were going berserk interchangeably?

Not always. Crazy and Other people were going berserk 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.

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