Cool MateAmazing vs It was great
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Amazing
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
It was great
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Amazing | It was great | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪt wəz ɡreɪt//🇺🇸 //ɪt wəz ɡreɪt// |
| Meaning | very good or impressive | It was very good or enjoyable. |
| Example | The view from the mountain top was simply amazing. | The concert last night was great. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, look, sound, absolutely, pretty, rather, be nothing short of amazing | was great fun, was great for, was great experience |
| Antonyms | ordinary, unremarkable, boring | - |
| Common mistakes | Overusing it for average things., Confusing it with 'amaze' as a verb., Using it in negative contexts incorrectly. | Using 'wasn't great' instead of 'it was great' when expressing a positive feeling., Confusing 'great' with 'good' as they can convey slightly different levels of enthusiasm. |
| Usage notes | Use 'amazing' to describe something that exceeds expectations. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but avoid using it excessively in formal writing. | Use 'It was great' to express satisfaction or approval about an experience. It's common in informal conversations but also acceptable in casual formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Amazing vs It was great
What's the difference between Amazing and It was great?
Amazing: very good or impressive It was great: It was very good or enjoyable.
Can you show an example of each?
Amazing: The view from the mountain top was simply amazing. It was great: The concert last night was great.
Can I use Amazing and It was great interchangeably?
Not always. Amazing and It was great 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.