Cool MateReally astonishing vs Remarkable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Really astonishing
Top 3,000 (common)
Remarkable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most common: Remarkable
| Really astonishing | Remarkable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈrɪəli əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈrɪli əˈstɑnɪʃɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmɑːkəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmɑːrkəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very surprising or impressive. | Very special or unusual, worth noticing. |
| Example | The view from the mountain was really astonishing. | The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | really astonishing results, really astonishing story, really astonishing talent | be, seem, absolutely, just, most, for |
| Antonyms | - | ordinary, unremarkable, mundane |
| Common mistakes | Using 'really' with weak adjectives like 'nice'., Confusing 'astonishing' with 'astonished' (the latter is a feeling)., Overusing 'really' instead of using other intensifiers. | Confused with 'remarkable' and 'notable', which have subtle differences in connotation., Using 'remarkable' in a negative context, which doesn't fit its positive meaning., Overusing it; it can sound exaggerated if used too frequently. |
| Usage notes | Use 'really astonishing' to emphasize surprise or impressiveness. Common in spoken and written English but avoid in formal academic writing. | Use 'remarkable' to describe something that is impressive, surprising, or extraordinary. It is neutral in tone, so it can be used in most contexts, including both spoken and written language. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations where simpler terms may suffice. |
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Frequently asked questions: Really astonishing vs Remarkable
What's the difference between Really astonishing and Remarkable?
Really astonishing: Very surprising or impressive. Remarkable: Very special or unusual, worth noticing.
Which is more common: Really astonishing and Remarkable?
Remarkable is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Really astonishing: The view from the mountain was really astonishing. Remarkable: The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever.
Can I use Really astonishing and Remarkable interchangeably?
Not always. Really astonishing and Remarkable 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.