Cool MateCredible vs Is it reliable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Credible
Top 3,000 (common)C1adjective
Is it reliable
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Is it reliable
| Credible | Is it reliable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkredəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkredəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪz ɪt rɪˈlaɪəbl//🇺🇸 //ɪz ɪt rɪˈlaɪəbəl// |
| Meaning | Something that can be trusted or believed. | Is it trustworthy and dependable? |
| Example | a **credible explanation/witness** | Is it reliable enough to use for my project? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | appear, be, seem, highly, very, completely, appear, be, seem, highly, very, completely | is it reliable, reliable source, reliable information, reliable data, reliable service |
| Antonyms | unreliable, incredible, dubious | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'credibility', which is a noun., Using 'credible' to describe people instead of their work or sources., Mispronouncing the word, especially the 'ble' ending. | Confusing 'reliable' with 'rely' - 'reliable' describes something, while 'rely' implies dependence., Using 'reliable' without context - always specify what is being referred to., Omitting 'is' - often mistakenly phrased as 'It reliable?' instead of 'Is it reliable?' |
| Usage notes | Use 'credible' to describe sources of information, like news articles or experts. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in casual conversations and slang. | Use this phrase to ask about the dependability of something. It is appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, like discussing products or information. |
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Frequently asked questions: Credible vs Is it reliable
What's the difference between Credible and Is it reliable?
Credible: Something that can be trusted or believed. Is it reliable: Is it trustworthy and dependable?
Which is more common: Credible and Is it reliable?
Is it reliable is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Credible: a **credible explanation/witness** Is it reliable: Is it reliable enough to use for my project?
Can I use Credible and Is it reliable interchangeably?
Not always. Credible and Is it reliable 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.