Impressive vs This guy here is really something

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

Impressive

Top 2,000 (common)B1adjective

This guy here is really something

InformalTop 3,000 (common)
Most formal: ImpressiveMost common: Impressive
 ImpressiveThis guy here is really something
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ɪmˈpresɪv/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪmˈpresɪv/"]/🇬🇧 //ðɪs ɡaɪ hɪə ɪz ˈrɪli ˈsʌmθɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ðɪs ɡaɪ hɪr ɪz ˈrɪli ˈsʌmθɪŋ//
MeaningSomething that makes you feel admiration or respect.This person is very special or impressive.
ExampleThe magician's tricks were truly impressive and left everyone in awe.This guy here is really something; he just won a national award!
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 3,000 (common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsbe, look, seem, extremely, fairly, verythis guy here, really something special, impressive guy here
Antonymsunimpressive, ordinary, unremarkableordinary, unremarkable
Common mistakesConfusing with 'impressing' which is a verb form., Using it in a negative context mistakenly., Incorrectly placing it before the noun without an article.Confusing with 'this guy over there' which changes the meaning., Misusing in overly formal conversations where a more professional expression is needed.
Usage notesUse 'impressive' to describe something that stands out or makes a strong positive impact. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but may sound less natural in casual settings where simpler words might work better.Use this phrase to express admiration or surprise about someone. It's appropriate in casual conversations but not in formal settings.

See it in real clips

Impressive
This guy here is really something

Frequently asked questions: Impressive vs This guy here is really something

What's the difference between Impressive and This guy here is really something?

Impressive: Something that makes you feel admiration or respect. This guy here is really something: This person is very special or impressive.

Which is more formal: Impressive and This guy here is really something?

Impressive is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Impressive and This guy here is really something?

Impressive is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Impressive: The magician's tricks were truly impressive and left everyone in awe. This guy here is really something: This guy here is really something; he just won a national award!

Can I use Impressive and This guy here is really something interchangeably?

Not always. Impressive and This guy here is really something 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.

Related comparisons