Cool MateGood job vs Well done
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Good job
InformalTop 1,000 (very common)
Well done
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most common: Good job
| Good job | Well done | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɡʊd dʒɒb//🇺🇸 //ɡʊd dʒɑb// | 🇬🇧 //wɛl dʌn//🇺🇸 //wɛl dʌn// |
| Meaning | Well done! | Good job or great work. |
| Example | You finished the project ahead of schedule—good job! | You completed the marathon! Well done! |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| 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 | well done speech, well done style, well done cake, well done production |
| 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 'well done' in formal contexts like business presentations., Confusing 'well done' with 'done well' as a complete sentence., Omitting the 'well' and saying only 'done'. |
| Usage notes | Use in casual conversations to compliment someone's effort or work. Avoid in formal contexts, like presentations. | Used to praise someone's effort or achievement. Best used in casual conversations. Not suitable for formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Good job vs Well done
What's the difference between Good job and Well done?
Good job: Well done! Well done: Good job or great work.
Which is more common: Good job and Well done?
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! Well done: You completed the marathon! Well done!
Can I use Good job and Well done interchangeably?
Not always. Good job and Well done 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.