Cool MateFantastic vs Like in outer space
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fantastic
Top 2,000 (common)A1adjective
Like in outer space
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: FantasticMost common: Fantastic
| Fantastic | Like in outer space | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/fænˈtæstɪk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fænˈtæstɪk/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //laɪk ɪn ˈaʊtə speɪs//🇺🇸 //laɪk ɪn ˈaʊtər speɪs// |
| Meaning | Really great or awesome. | Similar to something in outer space. |
| Example | The movie was absolutely fantastic and I enjoyed every moment of it. | Her creativity is like in outer space; it’s out of this world. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, feel, look, really, truly, utterly, be, look, seem, rather | design like in outer space, ideas like in outer space, creativity like in outer space |
| Antonyms | terrible, awful, bad | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'fantastic' to describe negative things, which is incorrect., Mixing up 'fantastic' with 'fantastical', which means imaginary or whimsical., Think it's only for extraordinary situations; it can also be used for nice, everyday experiences. | Confusing 'like in outer space' with 'like from outer space', which may imply being alien., Using it in formal contexts where it sounds too casual., Misplacing the emphasis, making it sound unnatural. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fantastic' in everyday conversation to express that something is very good. It's appropriate for most contexts but can feel overly enthusiastic in formal writing. | Use this phrase in casual conversations to express something that is extraordinary or unusual, often with a sense of wonder. It's not appropriate for formal writing or speech. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fantastic vs Like in outer space
What's the difference between Fantastic and Like in outer space?
Fantastic: Really great or awesome. Like in outer space: Similar to something in outer space.
Which is more formal: Fantastic and Like in outer space?
Fantastic is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Fantastic and Like in outer space?
Fantastic is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Fantastic: The movie was absolutely fantastic and I enjoyed every moment of it. Like in outer space: Her creativity is like in outer space; it’s out of this world.
Can I use Fantastic and Like in outer space interchangeably?
Not always. Fantastic and Like in outer space 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.