- Have you ever accidentally offended someone with an “offhand remark”?
- Do you find yourself repeating the word “comment” because you aren’t sure how to use “remark”?
- Are you confused about whether to say “remark on” or “remark about”?
Mastering Remark Collocations is a vital step toward achieving a natural, sophisticated level of English. In 2024, “remark” remains a powerful alternative to “comment” or “observation,” but its meaning shifts depending on the words you pair it with. Learning these combinations helps you express nuance, reduce language anxiety, and avoid the “robotic” feel that comes from literal translation.
Essential Collocations using REMARK as a Noun
When used as a noun, a remark is something you say or write. It is often used to describe the nature of a comment or how it was delivered.
Common Adjectives with Remark
These adjectives describe the quality or intention of the comment.
- A casual remark: Something said without much thought.
Example: I didn’t mean to upset her; it was just a casual remark. - An offhand remark: A comment made spontaneously, often without considering the consequences.
Example: He later apologized for his offhand remark about her presentation. - A cutting remark: A comment intended to be cruel or hurtful.
Example: She was stung by his cutting remark regarding her experience. - A passing remark: A brief mention made while talking about something else.
Example: He mentioned the project in a passing remark during lunch. - A pointed remark: A comment clearly directed at someone, often expressing criticism.
Example: The manager made several pointed remarks about punctuality.
Common Verbs Used with the Noun Remark
These verbs describe the action of making or dealing with the comment.
- Make a remark: The most common way to say you are commenting on something.
Example: Please refrain from making remarks while the film is playing. - Address a remark: To direct a comment toward a specific person.
Example: He addressed his remarks primarily to the board members. - Withdraw a remark: To formally take back something you said because it was wrong or offensive.
Example: The politician was forced to withdraw his remark after the public outcry. - Ignore a remark: To choose not to respond to a comment.
Example: It is often best to ignore rude remarks from strangers.
Common Collocations with REMARK as a Verb
As a verb, “remark” is slightly more formal than “say.” It means to give a spoken or written opinion or to notice something significant.
Verb + Preposition Patterns
- Remark on/upon: To make a comment about something you have noticed.
Example: Many critics remarked on the actor’s incredible transformation. - Remark to (someone): To say something to a specific person.
Example: “It’s getting late,” she remarked to her husband.
Remark + That Clause
This is a very common structure used in reported speech or professional writing.
- Remark that…: Used to state an observation clearly.
Example: The professor remarked that the results were better than expected.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Make a remark | Verb + Noun | To say something/comment. |
| Offhand remark | Adjective + Noun | An unplanned, spontaneous comment. |
| Remark on | Verb + Preposition | To mention something you noticed. |
| Cutting remark | Adjective + Noun | A sharp, hurtful comment. |
| Remark that | Verb + Clause | To state an observation. |
| Passing remark | Adjective + Noun | A brief, incidental mention. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Avoiding direct translations from your native language will help you sound more like a native speaker. Here are the most common errors learners make with Remark Collocations.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| He said a rude remark. | He made a rude remark. |
| I remarked about the weather. | I remarked on the weather. |
| She gave a cutting remark. | She made a cutting remark. |
| It was just a casual mention remark. | It was just a passing remark. |
“During the meeting, the CEO remarked on the team’s recent success. However, things became tense when a rival manager made a pointed remark about the budget. Thankfully, the CEO chose to ignore the remark and continued with her opening remarks, ensuring the atmosphere remained professional.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Remark Collocations
What is the difference between “remark” and “comment”?
While often interchangeable, “remark” is slightly more formal and frequently implies an observation about something you’ve just noticed. A “comment” can be any statement or opinion. You “make a comment” or “make a remark,” but “remark on” is more common than “comment on” in literary or formal contexts.
Can I use “remark” for something negative?
Yes. In fact, many common collocations are negative, such as “cutting remark,” “snide remark,” or “derogatory remark.” However, “remark” itself is neutral until paired with an adjective.
Is “remark about” grammatically incorrect?
It is not strictly incorrect, and you will hear native speakers use it. However, corpus data shows that “remark on” or “remark upon” is the standard professional and academic collocation. Using “on” will make your English sound more precise.
What does “opening remarks” mean?
This is a fixed phrase used in business and law. It refers to the introductory speech or comments made at the very beginning of a meeting, trial, or conference.
Is the verb “remark” common in daily conversation?
In casual daily conversation, people usually say “He said…” or “He mentioned…” The verb “remark” is more common in storytelling, news reporting, and formal writing (e.g., “The spokesperson remarked that…”).
Can we say 'a loud remark'? Or is there a better word for that?
While 'loud remark' is okay, we often say a 'pointed remark' if it was intended for people to hear, or a 'bold remark' if it was daring.
I accidentally used 'cutting remark' when I meant 'short remark' because I thought 'cutting' meant 'cut short.' Glad I read this before my next meeting!
I'm wondering about 'closing remarks'—is it always plural?
Excellent eye, Claudia! Yes, when referring to the conclusion of an event or speech, we almost always use the plural form: 'closing remarks.'
Is 'acerbic remark' very common? I saw it in a book recently and wasn't sure if people actually say it.
This helps me understand why my English sometimes sounds too simple. I rely too much on basic verbs and nouns.
That's a very common stage in language learning, Hans. Collocations are the 'secret sauce' that makes your English sound more natural and sophisticated!
I was looking for a way to describe a 'sarcastic remark.' Is 'sarcastic' a common collocation with 'remark'?
How does 'remark' compare to 'observation'? They seem very similar in some contexts.
Great observation, Ingrid! An 'observation' is often more analytical or factual, while a 'remark' can be more subjective or personal. They are often interchangeable, but 'remark' is more common in daily conversation.
I once made an 'offhand remark' about my boss's tie and it didn't go well. Now I know the correct name for my mistake!
I love the phrase 'witty remark.' It sounds much more elegant than 'funny comment.'
It certainly does, Amira! Using 'witty remark' suggests the speaker is clever and quick-thinking. It’s a great addition to your vocabulary.
The article mentions using it as a noun, but can I use it as a verb? Like 'He remarked that the weather was nice'?