Cool MateThat's a good one vs That's funny
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That's a good one
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
That's funny
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most common: That's funny
| That's a good one | That's funny | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ə ɡʊd wʌn//🇺🇸 //ðæts ə ɡʊd wʌn// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ˈfʌni//🇺🇸 //ðæts ˈfʌni// |
| Meaning | That's funny or clever. | It's humorous or makes you laugh. |
| Example | When he said he could juggle knives, I said, 'That's a good one!' | When the cat jumped into the box, everyone exclaimed, 'That's funny!' |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | that's a good joke, that's a good point, that's a good idea | that's really funny, that's so funny, That's funny, isn't it? |
| Antonyms | That's a bad one, That's a poor one, That's a terrible one | - |
| Common mistakes | Using it in formal situations where humor isn't appropriate., Confusing with 'that's a good idea' which is more serious., Incorrectly using it to respond to serious statements. | Using it in a serious context where humor isn't appropriate., Overusing it for every mildly amusing situation. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase when someone makes a joke or a clever remark. It's informal and best in casual settings. | Used casually when something is amusing. Avoid in very formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: That's a good one vs That's funny
What's the difference between That's a good one and That's funny?
That's a good one: That's funny or clever. That's funny: It's humorous or makes you laugh.
Which is more common: That's a good one and That's funny?
That's funny is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
That's a good one: When he said he could juggle knives, I said, 'That's a good one!' That's funny: When the cat jumped into the box, everyone exclaimed, 'That's funny!'
Can I use That's a good one and That's funny interchangeably?
Not always. That's a good one and That's funny 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.