In its publications, the MLA follows various usage experts who recommend restricting the use of impact as a verb to only one of the several definitions you may find in a dictionary: “to strike forcefully” (“Impact”). A car may impact another car in a collision, for example. But we avoid using impact as a verb when the meaning is “to affect” or “to influence.” We would not write the following sentences:
Slow job growth impacts the overall economic outlook.
Changing social norms can impact language: some individuals have adopted the singular they because they wish to avoid gendered pronouns such as he and she.
In the examples above, other verbs that fit the meaning can easily be substituted:
Slow job growth affects the overall economic outlook.
Changing social norms can influence language: some individuals have adopted the singular they because they wish to avoid gendered pronouns such as he and she.
Work Cited
“Impact, Vb.” Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/
impact.
1 Comment
Patrick Chomnycky 08 April 2020 AT 03:04 PM
I agree completely with your analysis of the misuse of 'impact' as a verb. Simple laziness has made it the 'de-fault' verb.
One can have an impacted molar; most everything else is 'affected' or 'influenced'.
Join the Conversation
We invite you to comment on this post and exchange ideas with other site visitors. Comments are moderated and subject to terms of service.
If you have a question for the MLA's editors, submit it to Ask the MLA!