Cool MateRemarkable vs That's unbelievable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Remarkable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
That's unbelievable
Top 2,000 (common)
| Remarkable | That's unbelievable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmɑːkəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmɑːrkəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ˌʌnˈbiːləvəbl//🇺🇸 //ðæts ˌʌnˈbiːləvəbəl// |
| Meaning | Very special or unusual, worth noticing. | It's hard to believe; it's shocking. |
| Example | The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever. | When she won the lottery, I thought, 'That's unbelievable!' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, seem, absolutely, just, most, for | That's unbelievable news, That's unbelievable behavior, That's unbelievable luck |
| 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. | Used in negative situations instead of positive ones., Saying 'This is unbelievable' instead of 'That's unbelievable' in conversations., Confusing with 'That's incredible' which has a more positive connotation. |
| 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. | Commonly used in casual conversation to express surprise or disbelief. Avoid in overly formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Remarkable vs That's unbelievable
What's the difference between Remarkable and That's unbelievable?
Remarkable: Very special or unusual, worth noticing. That's unbelievable: It's hard to believe; it's shocking.
Can you show an example of each?
Remarkable: The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever. That's unbelievable: When she won the lottery, I thought, 'That's unbelievable!'
Can I use Remarkable and That's unbelievable interchangeably?
Not always. Remarkable and That's unbelievable 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.