Cool MateThat's crazy vs That's unbelievable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That's crazy
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
That's unbelievable
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: That's unbelievable
| That's crazy | That's unbelievable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ˈkreɪzi//🇺🇸 //ðæts ˈkreɪzi// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ˌʌnˈbiːləvəbl//🇺🇸 //ðæts ˌʌnˈbiːləvəbəl// |
| Meaning | That's unbelievable or surprising. | It's hard to believe; it's shocking. |
| Example | Did she really win the lottery? That's crazy! | When she won the lottery, I thought, 'That's unbelievable!' |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | that's insane, you can't be serious, seriously, that's crazy | That's unbelievable news, That's unbelievable behavior, That's unbelievable luck |
| Common mistakes | Used in formal contexts where it's inappropriate., Confused with 'that's insane' — similar, but can imply more seriousness. | Used in negative situations instead of positive ones., Saying 'This is unbelievable' instead of 'That's unbelievable' in conversations., Confusing with 'That's incredible' which has a more positive connotation. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversations to express disbelief or surprise, typically among friends. Avoid in formal settings or professional communication. | Commonly used in casual conversation to express surprise or disbelief. Avoid in overly formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: That's crazy vs That's unbelievable
What's the difference between That's crazy and That's unbelievable?
That's crazy: That's unbelievable or surprising. That's unbelievable: It's hard to believe; it's shocking.
Which is more formal: That's crazy and That's unbelievable?
That's unbelievable is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
That's crazy: Did she really win the lottery? That's crazy! That's unbelievable: When she won the lottery, I thought, 'That's unbelievable!'
Can I use That's crazy and That's unbelievable interchangeably?
Not always. That's crazy and That's 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.