Cool MateIt's all good vs That's okay
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
It's all good
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
That's okay
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: That's okayMost common: That's okay
| It's all good | That's okay | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪts ɔːl ɡʊd//🇺🇸 //ɪts ɔl ɡʊd// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts əˈkeɪ//🇺🇸 //ðæts oʊˈkeɪ// |
| Meaning | Everything is fine or okay. | It's all right. |
| Example | After the misunderstanding, she smiled and said, 'It's all good.' | I forgot to call you, but that's okay. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | it's all good, no problem, it's all good, don't worry, it's all good, relax | that's okay with me, that's okay to do, that's okay if you can't |
| Antonyms | - | that's not okay, absolutely not |
| Common mistakes | Used in formal situations, where 'everything is fine' is more appropriate., Confused with 'it's all bad', which has a negative meaning., Misused when the context isn't casual, leading to misunderstandings. | Using 'that's okay' in very formal situations, Confusing with 'that's fine' which can sound more dismissive, Mispronouncing or slurring words in quick speech |
| Usage notes | Used in casual contexts to reassure someone that there are no problems. Avoid in formal settings. | Used to reassure someone or indicate acceptance. Appropriate in most informal and neutral contexts, but can be overly casual in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: It's all good vs That's okay
What's the difference between It's all good and That's okay?
It's all good: Everything is fine or okay. That's okay: It's all right.
Which is more formal: It's all good and That's okay?
That's okay is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: It's all good and That's okay?
That's okay is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
It's all good: After the misunderstanding, she smiled and said, 'It's all good.' That's okay: I forgot to call you, but that's okay.
Can I use It's all good and That's okay interchangeably?
Not always. It's all good and That's okay 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.