Cool MateIncredible vs You are unbelievable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Incredible
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
You are unbelievable
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
Most formal: IncredibleMost common: Incredible
| Incredible | You are unbelievable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊə ˌɑː ˌʌnbɪˈliːvəb(ə)l//🇺🇸 //juː ˌɑːr ˌʌnbɪˈliːvəb(ə)l// |
| Meaning | Very surprising or hard to believe. | You are hard to believe or very impressive. |
| Example | The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible! | Your performance in the game was unbelievable! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to, be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to | just unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable, unbelievable story, unbelievable talent, really unbelievable |
| Antonyms | ordinary, common, unremarkable | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'incredible' as a noun instead of an adjective., Confusing 'incredible' with 'incredulous' (which means unable to believe)., Overusing 'incredible' to describe everyday situations. | 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 'incredible' to describe something amazing or extraordinary. It is appropriate in both casual and serious contexts, but avoid it in overly 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: Incredible vs You are unbelievable
What's the difference between Incredible and You are unbelievable?
Incredible: Very surprising or hard to believe. You are unbelievable: You are hard to believe or very impressive.
Which is more formal: Incredible and You are unbelievable?
Incredible is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Incredible and You are unbelievable?
Incredible is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Incredible: The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible! You are unbelievable: Your performance in the game was unbelievable!
Can I use Incredible and You are unbelievable interchangeably?
Not always. Incredible 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.