Cool MateUnbelievable vs You are unbelievable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Unbelievable
Top 1,000 (very common)
You are unbelievable
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
Most formal: UnbelievableMost common: Unbelievable
| Unbelievable | You are unbelievable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ʌn.bɪˈliː.və.bəl//🇺🇸 //ʌn.bɪˈlivə.bəl// | 🇬🇧 //jʊə ˌɑː ˌʌnbɪˈliːvəb(ə)l//🇺🇸 //juː ˌɑːr ˌʌnbɪˈliːvəb(ə)l// |
| Meaning | Not able to be believed; hard to accept as true. | You are hard to believe or very impressive. |
| Example | His story about climbing Everest without oxygen was simply unbelievable. | Your performance in the game was unbelievable! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | unbelievable story, unbelievable situation, unbelievable coincidence, unbelievable talent, unbelievable prices | just unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable, unbelievable story, unbelievable talent, really unbelievable |
| Antonyms | credible, believable, plausible | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'incredible' - both mean similar things but can have different connotations., Used too casually in serious contexts., Often mispronounced by stressing the wrong syllable. | Using it seriously when meant to be sarcastic., Confusing it with 'you’re incredible', which is always positive., Not realizing it can be an insult. |
| Usage notes | Used to express astonishment or disbelief. It can be positive or negative depending on context (e.g., an unbelievable achievement vs. an unbelievable lie). | Used to express surprise or admiration. Can be positive or negative depending on context. Generally informal; avoid in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Unbelievable vs You are unbelievable
What's the difference between Unbelievable and You are unbelievable?
Unbelievable: Not able to be believed; hard to accept as true. You are unbelievable: You are hard to believe or very impressive.
Which is more formal: Unbelievable and You are unbelievable?
Unbelievable is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Unbelievable and You are unbelievable?
Unbelievable is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Unbelievable: His story about climbing Everest without oxygen was simply unbelievable. You are unbelievable: Your performance in the game was unbelievable!
Can I use Unbelievable and You are unbelievable interchangeably?
Not always. Unbelievable and You are 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.