What is impact? Pronunciation and usage in English

impact means . Learn how to pronounce and use impact through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of impact

impactnoun

/ˈɪmpakt/
Definition & pronunciation of impact

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "impact" in English. It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here's a breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

/ɪˈpækt/

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  • ɪ - Like the "i" in "bit" or "sit". Short and quick.
  • ˈpækt - This is the tricky part.
    • p - As in "pen"
    • æ - This is a short "a" sound, like in "cat" or "hat." It's not the long "a" as in "cake."
    • kt - Pronounced very quickly and almost as one syllable – like "packet." It's a light "k" sound.

So, put it together: i-POCKET (with a quick 'k' sound at the end)

Common Mispronunciations & Why They're Wrong:

  • IMP-AHKT: (as in, "imp" followed by "a" and then "ckt") - This is very common and sounds quite formal. It’s technically a historically accurate pronunciation (influenced by French), but modern American English prefers the /ɪˈpækt/ version.
  • IMP-ACT: (with a long "a" sound) - Sounds too much like the word "act."

Resources to Hear It:

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Usage and examples with the word impact in English

Let's break down how to use the word "impact" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and grammatical forms. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. As a Verb (Meaning: To have an effect on something)

  • Core Meaning: This is the most common usage. “Impact” means to affect something, to produce a result, or to make a difference.
  • Examples:
    • "The new policy will impact our sales figures." (It will affect our sales.)
    • "The earthquake had a devastating impact on the city." (It caused widespread damage.)
    • "Social media can have a significant impact on teenagers' self-esteem." (It can influence their feelings about themselves.)
    • “His speech had a big impact on the audience.” (It moved them, inspired them, etc.)

2. As a Noun (Meaning: The effect itself)

  • Core Meaning: "Impact" as a noun refers to the result or the consequence of something. It's what happens as a result of an action or event.
  • Examples:
    • "The impact of the storm was felt throughout the region." (The result of the storm was widespread.)
    • "The impact of climate change is becoming increasingly evident." (The consequences of climate change are showing up.)
    • "There was a significant cultural impact of the immigrant population." (The result of the new population entering was a change in culture.)

3. "Make an Impact" (Idiomatic Phrase)

  • Meaning: To have a noticeable or significant effect; to stand out.
  • Examples:
    • "She wants to make an impact in the industry." (She wants to be noticed and do something important.)
    • "The artist's work really made an impact on me." (It strongly affected me.)

4. "Impacted" (Past Participle - Used with "be" verbs)

  • Meaning: This form is used with "have been" or "be" to describe something that has already been affected.
  • Examples:
    • "The budget cuts have impacted our programs.” (The budget cuts have already affected our programs.)
    • "She was impacted by the news." (She was already affected by the news – typically used after an event has happened.)

Key Considerations & Nuances:

  • Formal vs. Informal: "Impact" is generally considered more formal than words like "affect" or "influence." “Affect” is common, while “impact” can sound a little more sophisticated.
  • “Affect” vs. “Impact”: These are often confused. A helpful way to remember:
    • Affect (verb) – to influence (e.g., “The rain affected his mood.”)
    • Impact (noun or verb) – the result or to have an effect (e.g., “The rain had a significant impact on the crops.”)
  • Strength of Effect: You can modify “impact” to show the strength of the effect:
    • Minor impact
    • Major impact
    • Significant impact
    • Profound impact

Resources for More Examples:

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Synonyms for the word impact

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