Cool MateWhat is a miracle vs Wonder
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What is a miracle
Top 3,000 (common)
Wonder
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Most common: Wonder
| What is a miracle | Wonder | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈmɪr.ə.kəl//🇺🇸 //ˈmɪr.ə.kəl// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈwʌndə(r)/","/ˈwʌndəz/","/ˈwʌndəd/","/ˈwʌndərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈwʌndər/","/ˈwʌndərz/","/ˈwʌndərd/","/ˈwʌndərɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | A miracle is an extraordinary event that cannot be explained by natural laws. | to think about something you are curious about or amazed by |
| Example | They considered her recovery a miracle. | I wonder what will happen in the next episode of the show. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | miracle of life, perform a miracle, miracle worker | idly, vaguely, briefly, begin to, start to, cannot help but, about, can’t help wondering, keep wondering |
| Antonyms | - | disdain, indifference, disbelief |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'wonder' which means something different., Often used in overly dramatic contexts., 'Miracle' is sometimes used incorrectly to describe ordinary events. | Confusing it with 'wondering' which is a different tense., Using 'wonder' as a noun instead of a verb., Omitting 'if' or 'whether' after 'wonder'. |
| Usage notes | Used in both religious and secular contexts to describe surprising events. Can be used positively or negatively depending on the sentiment. | Used to express curiosity or disbelief. Appropriate for both spoken and written contexts, but avoid in very formal writing or situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: What is a miracle vs Wonder
What's the difference between What is a miracle and Wonder?
What is a miracle: A miracle is an extraordinary event that cannot be explained by natural laws. Wonder: to think about something you are curious about or amazed by
Which is more common: What is a miracle and Wonder?
Wonder is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
What is a miracle: They considered her recovery a miracle. Wonder: I wonder what will happen in the next episode of the show.
Can I use What is a miracle and Wonder interchangeably?
Not always. What is a miracle and Wonder 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.