Cool MateRemarkable vs That's astonishing
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Remarkable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
That's astonishing
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Remarkable
| Remarkable | That's astonishing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmɑːkəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmɑːrkəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ðæts əˈstɑnɪʃɪŋ// |
| Meaning | Very special or unusual, worth noticing. | That's surprising or hard to believe. |
| Example | The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever. | When I heard the news, I said, 'That's astonishing!' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, seem, absolutely, just, most, for | that's astonishing news, that's astonishing to see, that's astonishing behavior |
| Antonyms | ordinary, unremarkable, mundane | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'remarkable' and 'notable', which have subtle differences in connotation., Using 'remarkable' in a negative context, which doesn't fit its positive meaning., Overusing it; it can sound exaggerated if used too frequently. | Using 'astonishing' in a negative context., Confusing 'astonishing' with 'astonished' which means surprised., Saying 'That's astonish' instead of 'That's astonishing'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'remarkable' to describe something that is impressive, surprising, or extraordinary. It is neutral in tone, so it can be used in most contexts, including both spoken and written language. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations where simpler terms may suffice. | Use 'That's astonishing' to express strong surprise. It's best in formal or neutral contexts, avoiding slangy conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Remarkable vs That's astonishing
What's the difference between Remarkable and That's astonishing?
Remarkable: Very special or unusual, worth noticing. That's astonishing: That's surprising or hard to believe.
Which is more common: Remarkable and That's astonishing?
Remarkable is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Remarkable: The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever. That's astonishing: When I heard the news, I said, 'That's astonishing!'
Can I use Remarkable and That's astonishing interchangeably?
Not always. Remarkable and That's astonishing 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.