Cool MateRemark vs Saying
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Remark
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Saying
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Saying
| Remark | Saying | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmɑːk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmɑːrk/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈseɪɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈseɪɪŋ// |
| Meaning | A comment or statement about something. | A word or phrase that you say. |
| Example | Her remark about the weather made everyone laugh. | His saying about honesty is well known. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | brief, passing, occasional, deliver, give, make, apply to somebody/something, be directed at/to somebody, suggest something, in a/the remark, remark about, remark concerning | common saying, popular saying, saying goes |
| Antonyms | silence, reticence | silence, talking |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'remarkable', thinking they are interchangeable., Omitting the preposition when saying what the remark is about., Using 'remark' as a noun when it should be a verb. | Confused with 'says', which is the present tense form., Used incorrectly as a verb instead of a noun. |
| Usage notes | Used to describe comments made in formal or informal contexts. In formal settings, it's appropriate to use 'remark' to comment on speeches or articles. In informal contexts, it's less common. | Use this when referring to any specific word or phrase someone has said. Avoid in formal writing. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Remark vs Saying
What's the difference between Remark and Saying?
Remark: A comment or statement about something. Saying: A word or phrase that you say.
Which is more common: Remark and Saying?
Saying is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Remark: Her remark about the weather made everyone laugh. Saying: His saying about honesty is well known.
Can I use Remark and Saying interchangeably?
Not always. Remark and Saying 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.