Cool MateIncredible vs They were like wow
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Incredible
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
They were like wow
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: IncredibleMost common: Incredible
| Incredible | They were like wow | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðeɪ wə lʌɪk waʊ//🇺🇸 //ðeɪ wɜr laɪk waʊ// |
| Meaning | Very surprising or hard to believe. | They were very surprised or impressed. |
| Example | The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible! | When I saw the stunning sunset, I was like wow. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to, be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to | were like wow, felt like wow, sounded like wow, looked like wow, said like wow |
| Antonyms | ordinary, common, unremarkable | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'incredible' as a noun instead of an adjective., Confusing 'incredible' with 'incredulous' (which means unable to believe)., Overusing 'incredible' to describe everyday situations. | Using in formal writing or speeches., Confusing 'like' as a filler word with its intended meaning., Omitting context which may clarify the surprise. |
| Usage notes | Use 'incredible' to describe something amazing or extraordinary. It is appropriate in both casual and serious contexts, but avoid it in overly formal writing. | Commonly used in casual conversations to express amazement or excitement. Avoid in formal situations. |
Frequently asked questions: Incredible vs They were like wow
What's the difference between Incredible and They were like wow?
Incredible: Very surprising or hard to believe. They were like wow: They were very surprised or impressed.
Which is more formal: Incredible and They were like wow?
Incredible is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Incredible and They were like wow?
Incredible is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Incredible: The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible! They were like wow: When I saw the stunning sunset, I was like wow.
Can I use Incredible and They were like wow interchangeably?
Not always. Incredible and They were like wow 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.