Cool MateAstonishing vs You are unbelievable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Astonishing
Top 3,000 (common)B2adjective
You are unbelievable
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
Most formal: Astonishing
| Astonishing | You are unbelievable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊə ˌɑː ˌʌnbɪˈliːvəb(ə)l//🇺🇸 //juː ˌɑːr ˌʌnbɪˈliːvəb(ə)l// |
| Meaning | Very surprising or amazing. | You are hard to believe or very impressive. |
| Example | She ran 100m in an astonishing 10.6 seconds. | Your performance in the game was unbelievable! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, seem, find something, really, truly, absolutely | just unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable, unbelievable story, unbelievable talent, really unbelievable |
| Antonyms | unimpressive, ordinary, mundane | - |
| Common mistakes | Used too casually in informal situations., Confused with 'astonished', which describes a feeling rather than something that causes astonishment., Overused in contexts where 'surprising' or 'impressive' might be more appropriate. | 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 'astonishing' to describe something that causes great surprise or wonder. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts, but may be less common in casual everyday conversations. | 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: Astonishing vs You are unbelievable
What's the difference between Astonishing and You are unbelievable?
Astonishing: Very surprising or amazing. You are unbelievable: You are hard to believe or very impressive.
Which is more formal: Astonishing and You are unbelievable?
Astonishing is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Astonishing: She ran 100m in an astonishing 10.6 seconds. You are unbelievable: Your performance in the game was unbelievable!
Can I use Astonishing and You are unbelievable interchangeably?
Not always. Astonishing 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.