remark

USAGE SUMMARY

The word remark is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express an opinion or make a comment about something. For example, "I couldn't help but remark on how beautiful the view was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The one exception was Abbott's remark when he urged Indonesia to "reciprocate" for Australian aid by sparing the lives of Chan and Sukumaran.

The Guardian

It was a remark that made me think of when Spinal Tap played Rock'n'Roll Creation, each member emerging from pods, Invasion of the Bodysnatchers-style.

The Guardian - Arts

Peter Wilby's remark about Indians only being allowed to play cricket in India after a "prolonged struggle" (Sticky wickets, Review, 2 August) is an example of the freedom-struggle revisionism that now often passes for history on the Indian subcontinent.

The Guardian - Sport

Paul walked back that statement on Monday, telling a Fox News interviewer "hyperbole can get the better of anyone", but the remark gave a glimpse into what critics insist is the senator's achilles heel: a susceptibility to the charge that he is a radical, fringe candidate cut from the same cloth as his father.

The Guardian

Sometimes a lascivious voiceover will remark on her charms.

The Guardian - Opinion

The remark was made by Nike's current CEO, Mark Parker.

The Guardian

I take offence to that remark from him that he made on the BBC that I'm favouring the Bengali community.

The Guardian

But her remark was seen to tally with no campaigners claims that a vote for independence would lead to an irrevocable break with the UK.

The Guardian

Miliband struggles on competence – the bungled Manchester speech or the many failures summed up in Fraser Nelson's remark, quoted in Tim Bale's new book on the Labour leader, that Miliband consistently fails to throw a second punch.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you hang on to one insightful remark from this first week of campaigning, let it belong to Michael Ashcroft, who observed that voters realise Miliband may be the price that has to be paid for a Labour government.

The Guardian - Opinion

Leaving aside the fact that Harold Wilson won four elections – although not in a row – I seem to recall a remark by Kenneth Clarke that the Tories were in such bad shape in 1997 that Labour could have won with a monkey as leader.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "observe", "note", or "comment" to avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "remark" in very informal or casual conversations. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "say" or "mention" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

Remark" functions as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it indicates the act of making a comment. As a noun, it refers to the comment itself. Ludwig's examples show it used frequently in news and media contexts, suggesting a formal to neutral register.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "remark" functions effectively as both a noun and a verb, denoting the act of commenting or the comment itself. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and predominantly used in news and media contexts. While it can be used more formally, avoid using it in overly casual conversations, and remember that there are many valuable synonyms to avoid repetition such as "comment", "observe" and "note". Therefore, "remark" stands as a versatile term for expressing observations, especially in professional or objective contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comment

Express an opinion or reaction.

observe

Focuses on the action of noticing something.

note

Briefly mention something.

point out

Directs attention to a specific detail or fact.

make a comment

Focuses on the action of commenting, similar to "remark" but more general.

offer an observation

Emphasizes the act of noticing and presenting something seen or noted.

express an opinion

Highlights the sharing of a personal belief or viewpoint.

state a view

Presents the act of formally declaring a perspective.

mention in passing

Suggests a brief and casual reference to something.

declare

State something formally or emphatically.

FAQs

How can I use "remark" in a sentence?

You can use "remark" to introduce a comment or observation, as in "He remarked that the weather was unusually warm", or "She made a sharp remark about his behavior".

What's a good synonym for "remark"?

Alternatives to "remark" include "comment", "observe", "note", and "mention", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "remark" in formal writing?

Yes, "remark" is suitable for formal writing. It conveys a sense of considered observation or comment. The degree of formality depends on the other words of the sentence and on the writer's communication style.

When should I use "remark" instead of "say"?

"Remark" implies a more thoughtful or significant statement than "say". Use "remark" when the comment is particularly noteworthy or insightful, rather than a simple utterance.