Cool MateStrong vs The numbers are solid
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Strong
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
The numbers are solid
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Strong
| Strong | The numbers are solid | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/strɒŋ/","/ˈstrɒŋɡə(r)/","/ˈstrɒŋɡɪst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/strɔːŋ/","/ˈstrɔːŋɡər/","/ˈstrɔːŋɡɪst/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðə ˈnʌmbəz ə sɒlɪd//🇺🇸 //ðə ˈnʌmbərz ɑr ˈsɑːlɪd// |
| Meaning | powerful or tough | The numbers are strong or reliable. |
| Example | She has a strong desire to help others. | After reviewing the data, I can confidently say that the numbers are solid. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, be still going strong | solid evidence, solid performance, solid data, solid foundation, solid results |
| Antonyms | weak, fragile, feeble | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'sturdy' for describing objects instead of strength., Using 'strong' with uncountable nouns when a different adjective is needed., Overusing 'strong' in negative contexts instead of using 'weak' or 'fragile'. | Misunderstanding 'solid' as only meaning physically hard rather than reliable., Using 'solid' in a vague context without explaining why the numbers are solid., Confusing the phrase with 'the numbers are good', which has a slightly different connotation. |
| Usage notes | Used to describe physical strength, emotional power, or intensity. Suitable in various contexts, but avoid in overly formal writing. | This phrase is often used in business or academic contexts to indicate that data or statistics are trustworthy. It's not typically used in informal conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Strong vs The numbers are solid
What's the difference between Strong and The numbers are solid?
Strong: powerful or tough The numbers are solid: The numbers are strong or reliable.
Which is more common: Strong and The numbers are solid?
Strong is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Strong: She has a strong desire to help others. The numbers are solid: After reviewing the data, I can confidently say that the numbers are solid.
Can I use Strong and The numbers are solid interchangeably?
Not always. Strong and The numbers are solid 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.