Damned good vs Remarkable

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

Damned good

InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)

Remarkable

Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most formal: RemarkableMost common: Remarkable
 Damned goodRemarkable
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //dæmd ɡʊd//🇺🇸 //dæmd ɡʊd//🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmɑːkəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmɑːrkəbl/"]/
MeaningVery good or excellent.Very special or unusual, worth noticing.
ExampleIf you think that movie was boring, you should check it out; it's actually damned good.The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever.
RegisterInformalNeutral
How commonTop 5,000 (fairly common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level-B2
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsdamned good time, damned good deal, damned good jobbe, seem, absolutely, just, most, for
Antonyms-ordinary, unremarkable, mundane
Common mistakesUsed in formal contexts where it's inappropriate., Misunderstood as overly negative due to the word 'damned'., Confused with other expressions of praise.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 notesThis phrase is often used in casual conversations to express strong approval; it can be considered slightly vulgar depending on the audience.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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Damned good
Remarkable

Frequently asked questions: Damned good vs Remarkable

What's the difference between Damned good and Remarkable?

Damned good: Very good or excellent. Remarkable: Very special or unusual, worth noticing.

Which is more formal: Damned good and Remarkable?

Remarkable is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Damned good and Remarkable?

Remarkable is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Damned good: If you think that movie was boring, you should check it out; it's actually damned good. Remarkable: The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever.

Can I use Damned good and Remarkable interchangeably?

Not always. Damned good 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.

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