Credible vs The numbers are solid
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Credible
Top 3,000 (common)C1adjective
The numbers are solid
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Credible
| Credible | The numbers are solid | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkredəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkredəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðə ˈnʌmbəz ə sɒlɪd//🇺🇸 //ðə ˈnʌmbərz ɑr ˈsɑːlɪd// |
| Meaning | Something that can be trusted or believed. | The numbers are strong or reliable. |
| Example | a **credible explanation/witness** | After reviewing the data, I can confidently say that the numbers are solid. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | appear, be, seem, highly, very, completely, appear, be, seem, highly, very, completely | solid evidence, solid performance, solid data, solid foundation, solid results |
| 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. | Misunderstanding 'solid' as only meaning physically hard rather than reliable., Using 'solid' in a vague context without explaining why the numbers are solid., Confusing the phrase with 'the numbers are good', which has a slightly different connotation. |
| 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. | This phrase is often used in business or academic contexts to indicate that data or statistics are trustworthy. It's not typically used in informal conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Credible vs The numbers are solid
What's the difference between Credible and The numbers are solid?
Credible: Something that can be trusted or believed. The numbers are solid: The numbers are strong or reliable.
Which is more common: Credible and The numbers are solid?
Credible is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Credible: a **credible explanation/witness** The numbers are solid: After reviewing the data, I can confidently say that the numbers are solid.
Can I use Credible and The numbers are solid interchangeably?
Not always. Credible and The numbers are solid 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.