Remarkable vs Very impressive
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Remarkable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Very impressive
Top 2,000 (common)
| Remarkable | Very impressive | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmɑːkəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmɑːrkəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈvɛri ɪmˈprɛsɪv//🇺🇸 //ˈvɛri ɪmˈprɛsɪv// |
| Meaning | Very special or unusual, worth noticing. | Amazing and makes a strong positive impression. |
| Example | The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever. | The performance was very impressive, leaving the audience in awe. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, seem, absolutely, just, most, for | very impressive performance, very impressive result, very impressive achievement, very impressive skills, very impressive design |
| Antonyms | ordinary, unremarkable, mundane | - |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Using 'very impressive' with nouns instead of adjectives., Confusing 'impressive' with 'impressed' - 'very impressive' describes something, not a feeling., Overusing 'very' when 'extremely' or 'really' might be better. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Use 'very impressive' in both written and spoken English to express admiration. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Remarkable vs Very impressive
What's the difference between Remarkable and Very impressive?
Remarkable: Very special or unusual, worth noticing. Very impressive: Amazing and makes a strong positive impression.
Can you show an example of each?
Remarkable: The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever. Very impressive: The performance was very impressive, leaving the audience in awe.
Can I use Remarkable and Very impressive interchangeably?
Not always. Remarkable and Very impressive 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.