What is remarkable? Pronunciation and usage in English

remarkable means . Learn how to pronounce and use remarkable through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of remarkable

remarkableadjective

/rɪˈmɑːkəbl/
Definition & pronunciation of remarkable

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "remarkable." It's a tricky one for some! Here's a breakdown, with different ways to approach it:

1. The Most Common and Generally Accepted Pronunciation:

  • ruk-UH-m Mark
    • ruk: Like "ruck" (as in, to carry a load) – a short, quick "uh" sound.
    • UH: The "uh" sound is like the "a" in "about." It’s a neutral vowel.
    • m: Just a regular "m" sound.
    • Mark: Rhymes with "bark". This syllable is pronounced with a light "r" sound.

2. Phonetic Spelling (More Precise):

  • /rəˈmärkəbl/
    • rə: A schwa sound – a very short, unstressed "uh" sound (like the "a" in "about").
    • ˈmärk: This is the stressed syllable. "Mark" as in "mark down" (the emphasis is on this syllable).
    • əbl: The "e" is pronounced like a short "uh" sound.

Tips & Considerations:

  • The "r" sound: The "r" sound at the beginning is a slight "r" - almost like a very quick tap of the tongue against the roof of your mouth. Don't fully roll it.
  • Stress: The stress is on the second syllable ("mark"). This is the most important thing to get right.
  • Linking: In natural speech, the "r" in "remarkable" might almost blend into the "m" sound.

Resources for Hearing it:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker or learning?
  • Do you have a particular accent (e.g., American, British, Australian)?

Usage and examples with the word remarkable in English

Let's break down how to use the word "remarkable" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with a slightly elevated feel, so knowing how to employ it properly can really boost your writing and speaking.

1. Core Meaning:

  • Remarkable essentially means "worthy of attention; striking; extraordinary." It describes something that is noticeably good, impressive, or unusual.

2. Common Ways to Use It:

Here's a breakdown with examples, categorized by what you're describing:

  • People:

    • "She's a remarkable teacher, always going above and beyond for her students." (She's exceptionally good at her job.)
    • "He was a remarkable athlete, achieving incredible feats despite a challenging background." (He was outstanding and achieved great things.)
    • "It’s remarkable how quickly she learned the new language." (Her progress was impressive.)
  • Events/Experiences:

    • "The view from the mountaintop was remarkable." (It was stunning and unforgettable.)
    • "It was a remarkable day, filled with unexpected joy." (A truly special and memorable day.)
    • "The performance was remarkable – the actors delivered flawless performances." (The performance was exceptionally good.)
  • Achievements/Results:

    • "The company achieved remarkable growth this year." (Their growth was significant and impressive.)
    • "The research yielded remarkable results, leading to a breakthrough in the field." (The results were noteworthy and impactful.)
    • "It's remarkable how he managed to complete the project on time and under budget.” (His accomplishment is impressive.)
  • Character/Qualities (often used with “quality” or “talent”):

    • “She possesses a remarkable quality for empathy.” (She has a strong and admirable quality.)
    • “He had a remarkable talent for music.” (He was exceptionally talented.)

3. Grammatical Usage:

  • Adjective: "Remarkable" is almost always used as an adjective, describing a noun. (e.g., "a remarkable achievement")
  • Noun (rare): It can be used as a noun, referring to something that is worthy of attention or admiration – but this is less common. Example: "His remarkable courage was evident." (Here, "remarkable" is referring to the quality of his courage.)

4. Synonyms (to help you vary your language):

  • Exceptional: (Very good; outstanding)
  • Extraordinary: (Beyond what is ordinary; remarkable)
  • Impressive: (Evoking admiration through size, quality, or skill)
  • Wonderful: (Inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration)
  • Outstanding: (Exceptionally good)
  • Significant: (Important; noteworthy)
  • Striking: (Attracting attention because of being unusual or prominent)

5. Considerations & Nuances:

  • Don't Overuse: “Remarkable” can sound a bit overused if you sprinkle it into every sentence. Choose it for things that truly deserve the description.
  • Specificity: While "remarkable" is a strong word, try to show the reader why something is remarkable. Don't just say it; provide details. Instead of "The performance was remarkable," you might say, "The actress’s nuanced portrayal of the character and her perfectly timed delivery captivated the audience."

Example Combining Elements:

“Dr. Ramirez’s development of the new vaccine was truly remarkable. The research, spanning five years, overcame numerous challenges, and the resulting product has already saved countless lives – a remarkable achievement worthy of widespread recognition.”


To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you writing (e.g., a story, an essay, a report)?
  • Can you give me an example sentence or phrase you'd like to use "remarkable" in?

Practice with vocabulary remarkable

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The team's ability to complete such a complex project ahead of schedule was truly __________.
  2. Ensuring all safety protocols are meticulously followed is __________ for the smooth operation of the laboratory.
  3. She demonstrated a __________ capacity for leadership, inspiring her colleagues to achieve new heights.
  4. The new software update aims to streamline processes, making the system more __________ for daily tasks.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following words can describe a discovery that is truly astonishing and noteworthy? a) mediocre b) ordinary c) remarkable d) commonplace e) exceptional

  2. Select the best word to complete the sentence: "The committee decided that the proposed changes were not __________ enough to warrant immediate action." a) significant b) significantly c) significance d) signify

  3. His performance in the debate was __________ and left a lasting impression on the audience. a) forgettable b) ordinary c) astonishing d) remarkable e) dull

  4. Despite the challenges, her commitment to the project remained __________. a) unwavering b) wavering c) hesitant d) fluctuating

  5. Which adjectives best describe a sudden, unexpected increase in sales figures that far exceeded all previous records? a) modest b) surprising c) phenomenal d) unremarkable e) remarkable

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: Her quick thinking during the crisis was extremely impressive and saved the situation. Rewrite to use "remarkable":

  2. Original: The data clearly shows an incredible improvement in energy efficiency over the last quarter. Rewrite to use "remarkable" or a related word form:

  3. Original: The consistent effort put into the new marketing campaign resulted in highly positive outcomes for the company. Rewrite to NOT use "remarkable", but a suitable replacement word:


Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. remarkable
  2. essential
  3. remarkable
  4. efficient

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) remarkable, e) exceptional
  2. a) significant
  3. c) astonishing, d) remarkable
  4. a) unwavering
  5. b) surprising, c) phenomenal, e) remarkable

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Her quick thinking during the crisis was remarkable, saving the situation.
  2. The data clearly shows a remarkable improvement in energy efficiency over the last quarter.
  3. The consistent effort put into the new marketing campaign resulted in outstanding outcomes for the company.

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