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Hayatoukrama Posted 19 years ago
Vocabulary
What's the difference among influence, affect and impact (verbs)?
These have overlapping meanings. I'd say that "affect" is the most general: causing a change or result in something. "The nearby ocean often affects our weather." "The recent tragedy really affected her."
I tend to use "influence" when there is a sense of control being exerted, especially when there is a specific result: "Your teachers often influence the direction your life takes." "Tolkien's stories influenced almost all subsequent literature in the genre of fantasy."
Use "impact" when there is a particular element of force involved; I'd say that "impact" also often indicates negative or unwanted influence. "The decline in the stock market impacted many people's plans for retirement."
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Note that these are broad generalizations. You could often interchange these verbs and the sentences would still correct and natural.
I tend to use "influence" when there is a sense of control being exerted, especially when there is a specific result: "Your teachers often influence the direction your life takes." "Tolkien's stories influenced almost all subsequent literature in the genre of fantasy."
Use "impact" when there is a particular element of force involved; I'd say that "impact" also often indicates negative or unwanted influence. "The decline in the stock market impacted many people's plans for retirement."
be
Note that these are broad generalizations. You could often interchange these verbs and the sentences would still correct and natural.
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