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Vsuresh Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

impact

Hi
Please tell me if this is OK.
She has impacted me by being a devoted teacher.
  

Top answer

That verbing of "impact" is relatively recent, and it still smacks of psychobabble and business-speak. No doubt it will find full acceptance one day, but not while I'm alive. Besides, it is meaningless in that context.

  • That verbing of "impact" is relatively recent, and it still smacks of psychobabble and business-speak.
  • No doubt it will find full acceptance one day, but not while I'm alive.
  • Besides, it is meaningless in that context.
  • You could say she has affected you just as well, but in what way?
  • Try "inspired" or something.
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9 Answers
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That verbing of "impact" is relatively recent, and it still smacks of psychobabble and business-speak. No doubt it will find full acceptance one day, but not while I'm alive. Besides, it is meaningless in that context. You could say she has affected you just as well, but in what way? Try "inspired" or something.
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vsureshShe has impacted me by being a devoted teacher.
It's understandable, but not exactly idiomatic.

When I hear 'impacted' I think of a painful tooth: The poor guy had an impacted wisdom tooth. (The tooth was stuck in the gums and was unable to grow out, causing pain.)

I would say something more like this:

Her devotion as a
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Thank you enoon.
Since, in the recent times I see people using it as a verb, I wanted to check with the native speakers.
Thank you once again.
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vsureshI see people using it as a verb
In my mind it's pretty violent as a verb, though, in its more common usage.

Someday an asteroid will impact the earth.

Mostly I see 'have an impact' for the less physical meaning.

CJ
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Thank you CJ
I wish your advice on impact will have an everlasting impact on me.
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vsureshI wish your advice on impact will have an everlasting impact on me.
Emotion: big smile
CJ
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I agree with the other posts above. In this context it makes more sense to use "impact" as a noun, and state something like, "has had an impact on me" or "made an impact on me." Or simply use a different word altogether.

Impact as a verb, as CalifJim pointed out, is fairly harsh for this meaning. It is typically used for forceful physical contact, or when used in the sense that you a
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I read your sentence and yes, I am able to discern the difference.
Thank you for your comments and the example.

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