While both "remarkable" and "extraordinary" describe something impressive or unusual, there's a subtle difference in their meanings. "Remarkable" suggests something worthy of being noticed and commented on; it's impressive but perhaps not exceptionally unusual. "Extraordinary," on the other hand, implies something far beyond the usual or expected; it's exceptional and often astonishing.
Think of it this way: a remarkable achievement might be getting a good grade on a difficult test. It's something to be proud of and deserves notice. An extraordinary achievement, however, could be winning a national competition in that subject. It's not just good; it's exceptional and unexpected.
Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference:
Remarkable: "Her painting was remarkable; the detail was incredible." (Meaning: The painting was impressive and deserves attention due to its detail.)
Extraordinary: "His musical talent is extraordinary; he's a natural prodigy." (Meaning: His talent is far beyond what's typically expected and is exceptional.)
Remarkable: "The sunset was remarkable; the colours were so vibrant." (Meaning: The sunset was impressive and worthy of notice because of the vibrant colours.)
Extraordinary: "She displayed an extraordinary level of composure during the crisis." (Meaning: Her composure was exceptional, far beyond what was expected in such a difficult situation.)
Remarkable: "The athlete showed a remarkable recovery after his injury." (Meaning: The athlete's recovery was impressive considering his injury.)
Extraordinary: "The athlete achieved an extraordinary feat by breaking three world records in a single day." (Meaning: The athlete's accomplishment was exceptional, beyond normal expectations, and truly remarkable.)
By paying attention to these nuances, you can use these words more precisely and effectively in your writing and speaking. Happy learning!