Remark vs. Comment — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 16, 2023
A remark is typically a brief statement or observation, while a comment is a more detailed or explanatory note or opinion.
Difference Between Remark and Comment
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Remark and Comment, while similar in denotation, differ in nuance and application. A remark is usually a quick, spontaneous observation or statement, often made in passing. A comment, however, is more detailed, providing some form of analysis, opinion, or feedback on a particular topic.
When someone makes a remark, it's often in response to a situation or event and might be offhand. For instance, noticing the weather and saying it's sunny is a remark. Conversely, a comment takes a deeper dive into a topic, often reflecting personal opinions or insights. For example, after reading a book, giving an evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses is a comment.
While both terms refer to forms of feedback or statements, remark has a sense of immediacy and brevity. One might remark on a painting's vibrant colors upon first seeing it. Comment, however, implies a more thorough or thought-out response. Someone might comment on a blog post, providing their thoughts and reactions to the content.
In the digital age, the term comment has gained more traction, especially with the proliferation of online platforms. Here, users leave comments on articles, videos, and posts. Yet, remark maintains its essence of a swift, often casual observation. Someone might remark on a post's humor while scrolling through a social media feed.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Quick, spontaneous observation
Detailed note or opinion
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Depth
Usually brief and immediate
More thorough or considered
Common Use
Casual observations in daily conversations
Feedback on articles, videos, online posts
Relation to Opinion
More neutral, less opinionated
Often reflects personal opinions
Contextual Application
Often offhand, made in passing
Common in reviews, analyses, and feedback
Compare with Definitions
Remark
A spontaneous reaction to something observed.
He couldn't help but remark on the delicious aroma.
Comment
An explanatory note or observation.
His comment on the article provided a different perspective.
Remark
A brief statement or observation.
What a beautiful sunset, she remarked.
Comment
Feedback or opinion on a specific topic.
The teacher gave positive comments on her essay.
Remark
A casual mention of a notable feature.
His main remark was about the painting's size.
Comment
A written statement on digital content.
Many users left comments on the YouTube video.
Remark
A short verbal note on something.
Her remark on the topic was concise and to the point.
Comment
A verbal or written remark expressing an opinion or reaction
The plans were sent to the council for comment
You asked for comments on the new proposals
Remark
To express briefly or casually as a comment
She remarked that he danced very well.
Comment
Express an opinion or reaction in speech or writing
Teachers commented that children of all abilities would benefit
‘She's an independent soul,’ he commented
The company would not comment on the venture
Remark
To take notice of something; observe
"She climbed the stone steps quickly, remarking the queer look of her blue silk skirt and blue shoes upon the stone" (Virginia Woolf).
Comment
A written note intended as an explanation, illustration, or criticism of a passage in a book or other writing; an annotation.
Remark
An act of pointing out or noticing; notice or observation.
Comment
A series of annotations or explanations.
Remark
An expression, in speech or writing, of something remarked or noticed; a mention of something
Make a remark
Pass a remark
A biting remark
A funny remark
A spoken remark
Comment
A statement of fact or opinion, especially a remark that expresses a personal reaction or attitude.
Remark
A casual observation, comment, or statement
Comment
An implied conclusion or judgment
A novel that is a comment on contemporary lawlessness.
Remark
(engraving) remarque
Comment
Talk; gossip
A divorce that caused much comment.
Remark
Alternative spelling of re-mark
Comment
(Computers) A string of text in a program that does not function in the program itself but is used by the programmer to explain instructions.
Remark
(transitive) To pay heed to; notice; to take notice of, to perceive.
Comment
(Linguistics) The part of a sentence that provides new information about the topic. Also called rheme.
Remark
To pass comment on (something); to indicate, point out.
Comment
To make a comment; remark.
Remark
To mark (someone or something) out; to distinguish, to make notable.
Comment
To serve as a judgmental commentary
"Her demise comments on [the Upper East Side's] entire way of life" (Mark Muro).
Remark
To express in words or writing; to state, as an observation.
He remarked that it was getting late.
Comment
To make comments on; annotate.
Remark
(intransitive) To make a remark or remarks on, to comment on (something).
Comment
A spoken or written remark.
I have no comment on that.
Pay attention to the teacher's comments in the margin of your marked essay.
Remark
Alternative spelling of re-mark
Comment
(uncountable) The act of commenting.
Remark
To mark in a notable manner; to distinquish clearly; to make noticeable or conspicuous; to piont out.
Thou art a man remarked to taste a mischief.
His manacles remark him; there he sits.
Comment
(linguistics) The part of a sentence that provides new information regarding the current theme.
Remark
To take notice of, or to observe, mentally; as, to remark the manner of a speaker.
Comment
(programming) A remark embedded in source code in such a way that it will be ignored by the compiler or interpreter, typically to help people to understand the code.
Remark
To express in words or writing, as observed or noticed; to state; to say; - often with a substantive clause; as, he remarked that it was time to go.
Comment
(transitive) To remark.
Remark
To make a remark or remarks; to comment.
Comment
To make remarks or notes.
Remark
Act of remarking or attentively noticing; notice or observation.
The cause, though worth the search, may yet eludeConjecture and remark, however shrewd.
Comment
To comment or remark on.
Remark
The expression, in speech or writing, of something remarked or noticed; the mention of that which is worthy of attention or notice; hence, also, a casual observation, comment, or statement; as, a pertinent remark.
Comment
To insert comments into (source code).
I wish I'd commented this complicated algorithm back when I remembered how it worked.
Remark
A statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief;
From time to time she contributed a personal comment on his account
Comment
To comment out (code); to disable by converting into a comment.
Remark
Explicit notice;
It passed without remark
Comment
To make remarks, observations, or criticism; especially, to write notes on the works of an author, with a view to illustrate his meaning, or to explain particular passages; to write annotations; - often followed by on or upon.
A physician to comment on your malady.
Critics . . . proceed to comment on him.
I must translate and comment.
Remark
Make mention of;
She observed that his presentation took up too much time
They noted that it was a fine day to go sailing
Comment
To comment on.
Remark
Make or write a comment on;
He commented the paper of his colleague
Comment
A remark, observation, or criticism; gossip; discourse; talk.
Their lavish comment when her name was named.
Remark
An offhand comment.
She made a remark about his new hairstyle.
Comment
A note or observation intended to explain, illustrate, or criticise the meaning of a writing, book, etc.; explanation; annotation; exposition.
All the volumes of philosophy,With all their comments.
Comment
A statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief;
From time to time she contributed a personal comment on his account
Comment
A written explanation or criticism or illustration that is added to a book or other textual material;
He wrote an extended comment on the proposal
Comment
A report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people;
The divorce caused much gossip
Comment
Make or write a comment on;
He commented the paper of his colleague
Comment
Explain or interpret something
Comment
Provide interlinear explanations for words or phrases;
He annotated on what his teacher had written
Comment
A detailed response or reaction.
Her comment on the situation was insightful and comprehensive.
Comment
Reflection or opinion shared with others.
He made a comment about the recent policy changes.
Common Curiosities
Are remark and comment synonyms?
They are similar but have nuanced differences; remarks are brief observations, while comments are more detailed opinions.
Does every remark express an opinion?
No, a remark can be a neutral observation without any opinion attached.
Is a remark always short?
Typically, yes. Remarks are often brief and immediate observations.
Can a comment be neutral?
Yes, while comments often reflect opinions, they can also be neutral observations.
Which is more formal, remark or comment?
Both can be used in formal and informal settings, but comments are often seen as more thorough.
Can remark be used in place of comment online?
While they can be used interchangeably, "comment" is more common for online feedback.
Are remarks more spontaneous?
Typically, yes. Remarks are often immediate and spontaneous reactions.
Is a remark always verbal?
No, remarks can be written as well, though they are often spoken.
Is remarking the same as commenting?
Not exactly. While both involve making a statement, remarking is more about noting something briefly, and commenting is about providing a more detailed opinion.
Is commenting always longer than remarking?
Not always, but comments typically offer more detailed feedback than remarks.
Are online reviews considered comments or remarks?
They are usually considered comments since they provide detailed feedback.
Is it common to remark on someone's appearance?
Yes, it's common to make casual remarks about noticeable changes or features in someone's appearance.
Can articles have remarks?
While they can, it's more common to see comments on articles, especially online.
Can I remark on a blog post?
Yes, but it's more common to comment on blog posts.
Can a book have comments?
Yes, especially in academic contexts, books can have comments or annotations.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
