Extraordinary vs It was amazing
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Extraordinary
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
It was amazing
Top 2,000 (common)
| Extraordinary | It was amazing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːdnri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːrdəneri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪt wəz əˈmeɪzɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ɪt wəz əˈmeɪzɪŋ// |
| Meaning | very unusual or remarkable | It was very good or impressive. |
| Example | Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, captivating the entire audience. | The performance was simply amazing. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | appear, be, feel, most, really, truly | absolutely amazing, quite amazing, truly amazing, simply amazing |
| Antonyms | ordinary, common, usual | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'ordinary', thinking they are similar., Using inappropriately in very casual chats; feels too formal., Mispronouncing the word, especially the 'extra-' part. | Using 'amazing' incorrectly in past tense contexts., Confusing 'amazing' with weaker adjectives like 'nice'., Using it in overly formal situations where a stronger adjective is preferred. |
| Usage notes | Use 'extraordinary' to describe something very special or impressive. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but try to avoid it in everyday casual conversations. | Use 'It was amazing' to express strong approval or delight. Appropriate in casual conversation, as well as in writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Extraordinary vs It was amazing
What's the difference between Extraordinary and It was amazing?
Extraordinary: very unusual or remarkable It was amazing: It was very good or impressive.
Can you show an example of each?
Extraordinary: Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, captivating the entire audience. It was amazing: The performance was simply amazing.
Can I use Extraordinary and It was amazing interchangeably?
Not always. Extraordinary and It was amazing 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.