What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
irreal
Example
The idea of time travel is an irreal concept. [irreal: adjective]
Example
If I were a millionaire, I would buy a yacht. [irreal: conjunction]
unreal
Example
The special effects in the movie made the monsters look unreal. [unreal: adjective]
Example
It's unreal how much traffic there is on this road. [unreal: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unreal is more commonly used than irreal in everyday language. Unreal is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while irreal is less common and often used in specific contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between irreal and unreal?
While irreal is typically associated with academic or technical writing, unreal is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
