Cool MateAmazing vs You are unbelievable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Amazing
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
You are unbelievable
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
Most formal: AmazingMost common: Amazing
| Amazing | You are unbelievable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊə ˌɑː ˌʌnbɪˈliːvəb(ə)l//🇺🇸 //juː ˌɑːr ˌʌnbɪˈliːvəb(ə)l// |
| Meaning | very good or impressive | You are hard to believe or very impressive. |
| Example | The view from the mountain top was simply amazing. | Your performance in the game was unbelievable! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, look, sound, absolutely, pretty, rather, be nothing short of amazing | just unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable, unbelievable story, unbelievable talent, really unbelievable |
| Antonyms | ordinary, unremarkable, boring | - |
| Common mistakes | Overusing it for average things., Confusing it with 'amaze' as a verb., Using it in negative contexts incorrectly. | 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 | Use 'amazing' to describe something that exceeds expectations. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but avoid using it excessively in formal writing. | 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: Amazing vs You are unbelievable
What's the difference between Amazing and You are unbelievable?
Amazing: very good or impressive You are unbelievable: You are hard to believe or very impressive.
Which is more formal: Amazing and You are unbelievable?
Amazing is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Amazing and You are unbelievable?
Amazing is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Amazing: The view from the mountain top was simply amazing. You are unbelievable: Your performance in the game was unbelievable!
Can I use Amazing and You are unbelievable interchangeably?
Not always. Amazing 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.