Remarkable vs Tremendous

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Remarkable

Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective

Tremendous

Top 1,000 (very common)C1adjective
Most common: Tremendous
 RemarkableTremendous
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmɑːkəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmɑːrkəbl/"]/🇬🇧 /["/trəˈmendəs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/trəˈmendəs/"]/
MeaningVery special or unusual, worth noticing.Very great in amount, size, or intensity.
ExampleThe scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever.a tremendous explosion
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR levelB2C1
Part of speechadjectiveadjective
Collocationsbe, seem, absolutely, just, most, fortremendous success, tremendous impact, tremendous effort, tremendous amount, tremendous talent
Antonymsordinary, unremarkable, mundanetiny, insignificant, small
Common mistakesConfused 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.Confused with 'tremendously', which is an adverb., Used inappropriately for small amounts, like 'a tremendous cup of coffee'., Mixing it up with 'tremble', which means to shake.
Usage notesUse '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.Used to express something very large or impressive. Avoid using it in overly formal writing or when a simpler word would suffice.

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Remarkable
Tremendous

Frequently asked questions: Remarkable vs Tremendous

What's the difference between Remarkable and Tremendous?

Remarkable: Very special or unusual, worth noticing. Tremendous: Very great in amount, size, or intensity.

Which is more common: Remarkable and Tremendous?

Tremendous is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Remarkable and Tremendous?

Tremendous is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.

Are Remarkable and Tremendous the same CEFR level?

Remarkable: B2, Tremendous: C1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Remarkable and Tremendous?

Remarkable: adjective, Tremendous: adjective.

Can you show an example of each?

Remarkable: The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever. Tremendous: a tremendous explosion

Can I use Remarkable and Tremendous interchangeably?

Not always. Remarkable and Tremendous 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.

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