Meaning & use
remarks
Last updated
“remarks” is a form of “remark”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
things that someone says or writes, especially as a comment or opinion.
Grammar: This is the plural of remark; use it when you mean more than one comment.
Patterns
- make remarks about someone/something
- remarks on something
Her remarks about the new schedule made everyone nervous.
He made a few rude remarks and then left the room.
The report includes remarks from several teachers.
nounpluralformal
a short formal speech or set of comments given to an audience.
Grammar: Used especially in official or public settings; often with opening, closing, or prepared.
Patterns
- opening remarks
- closing remarks
- prepared remarks
The mayor gave the opening remarks at the ceremony.
She thanked the guests in her closing remarks.
His prepared remarks were released to the press.
verbtransitive or intransitiveformal
says or writes something as a comment or opinion.
Grammar: Usually followed by that or on/about: She remarked that it was late.
Patterns
- remark that ...
- remark on something
- remark about something
He remarked that the train was unusually quiet.
Several critics remarked on the film's slow pace.
She rarely remarks about her colleagues' work.
Word forms
| singular | remark |
|---|---|
| third person singular | remarks |
| past tense | remarked |
| past participle | remarked |
| -ing form | remarking |
Common combinations
- make a remark
- He made a remark about the weather.
- opening remarks
- The chair's opening remarks were brief.
- a casual remark
- A casual remark can sometimes hurt more than intended.
- remark on something
- The teacher remarked on her progress.
- a passing remark
- It was just a passing remark, not a serious criticism.
Synonyms and how they differ
- comment
- The most general word; remarks is slightly more formal and often used for a set of comments.
- observation
- Suggests a thoughtful comment based on noticing something; remarks can be casual or official.
- statement
- A more formal, definite announcement; remarks are usually less official and more conversational.
Word family
- remark noun
- a single comment or a short speech
- remarkable adjective
- unusual and worth noticing
- remarkably adverb
- in an unusual or surprising way
- remarked verb
- past tense of remark
Commonly confused: remarks or remark?
remarks vs remark
Remark is singular; remarks is plural. Use remarks for more than one comment or for a formal speech.
Practice
The CEO began the meeting with a few ______ about the company's progress.
Choose one answer.
'Remarks' fits because it is a plural noun meaning comments, and 'a few' requires a plural. 'Remark' is singular, 'remarking' is a verb form, and 'remarkable' is an adjective.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “remarks”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.