Cool MateWould you look at that vs Wow
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Would you look at that
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Wow
InformalTop 1,000 (very common)A2exclamation
Most common: Wow
| Would you look at that | Wow | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wʊd jʊ lʊk æt ðæt//🇺🇸 //wʊd jʊ lʊk æt ðæt// | 🇬🇧 /["/waʊ/","/ˌwaʊˈiː/"]/🇺🇸 /["/waʊ/","/ˌwaʊˈiː/"]/ |
| Meaning | A phrase used to express surprise or interest about something. | A word used to express surprise or excitement. |
| Example | Would you look at that? The sun is setting beautifully! | Wow! You look terrific! |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | exclamation | |
| Collocations | would you look at that, look at this, would you check that, can you believe this, look at all this | say wow, wow factor, wow moment |
| Antonyms | - | meh, bored, disappointing, unimpressed |
| Common mistakes | Confused with similar phrases like 'Can you see that?', Used in overly formal contexts where a simpler expression would be better., Misplaced expectation of a physical action rather than as an expression of surprise. | Using 'wow' in formal writing., Saying 'wow' too often can lose its impact., Confusing 'wow' with other expressions of surprise. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversations, often to draw attention to something unexpected or impressive. Not typically used in formal settings. | Use 'wow' in casual conversations to show amazement or admiration. It may not be suitable for formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Would you look at that vs Wow
What's the difference between Would you look at that and Wow?
Would you look at that: A phrase used to express surprise or interest about something. Wow: A word used to express surprise or excitement.
Which is more common: Would you look at that and Wow?
Wow is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Would you look at that: Would you look at that? The sun is setting beautifully! Wow: Wow! You look terrific!
Can I use Would you look at that and Wow interchangeably?
Not always. Would you look at that and Wow 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.