Cool MateGood job vs Nice work
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Good job
InformalTop 1,000 (very common)
Nice work
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Nice workMost common: Good job
| Good job | Nice work | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɡʊd dʒɒb//🇺🇸 //ɡʊd dʒɑb// | 🇬🇧 //naɪs wɜːk//🇺🇸 //naɪs wɜrk// |
| Meaning | Well done! | Good job or effort. |
| Example | You finished the project ahead of schedule—good job! | You really put in a lot of effort on this project, nice work! |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | good job on, good job at, give a good job, say good job, receive a good job | nice work ethic, nice work environment, nice work balance |
| Common mistakes | Using with a negative tone, which confuses the meaning., Confusing with 'Good work' which may sound more professional., Not using in appropriate situations, like serious discussions. | Using 'nice work' in overly formal situations., Confusing with 'good job'—not all contexts allow 'nice work'. |
| Usage notes | Use in casual conversations to compliment someone's effort or work. Avoid in formal contexts, like presentations. | Used to compliment someone's effort or achievement. Appropriate in casual and professional contexts. Avoid in formal written communication. |
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Frequently asked questions: Good job vs Nice work
What's the difference between Good job and Nice work?
Good job: Well done! Nice work: Good job or effort.
Which is more formal: Good job and Nice work?
Nice work is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Good job and Nice work?
Good job is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Good job: You finished the project ahead of schedule—good job! Nice work: You really put in a lot of effort on this project, nice work!
Can I use Good job and Nice work interchangeably?
Not always. Good job and Nice work 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.