created an impact

USAGE SUMMARY

"created an impact" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe when an action has a significant effect or influence. For example, "The speech she gave at the rally created an impact on attendees and sparked a change in public opinion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

As a result, we created an impact investing initiative within Net Impact.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I was also a public intellectual: in the 1980s I published articles and books that created an impact.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have created an impact score by subtracting the number who believe the impact of immigration has been negative from the number who believe it has been positive.

The Guardian

"The pressure of civil society has already created an impact: It has become impossible now to marry a girl under the age of 16," Kachane Belcaide, a lawyer in the northeastern city of Khemisset, said last month.

The New York Times

When he was finally able to open the parachute, it created an impact in midair so great that he screamed from pain for what he remembered as being several minutes.

The New York Times

It also created an impact calculator that can be displayed on a company's website to show customers how their purchases are helping, said James Citron, chief executive of Pledgeling.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

This leads to an ability to create an impact".

The Guardian - Opinion

They are attacking any accessible target that creates an impact.

The New York Times

Floored "Striking tiles create an impact on entrance," says Jameson.

Independent

There's no way to create an impact in a visual way".

The New York Times - Tech

"He's a player that can come off the bench and create an impact".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, follow this phrase with a prepositional phrase like "on the industry" or "within the community" to provide necessary context

Common error

Writers often use "created an impact" as a filler phrase without specifying what kind of impact (positive, negative, social, financial) occurred. Always aim to qualify the impact to provide more information to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "created an impact" functions as a transitive verb phrase in the past tense. It consists of the verb "created", the indefinite article "an", and the noun "impact". In the sentences provided by Ludwig, it typically serves as the primary predicate to describe a consequence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "created an impact" is a robust and versatile expression in the English language, highly effective for describing significant outcomes. Analysis from Ludwig shows that it is favored by high-authority sources like The New York Times and The Guardian for its clarity and active tone. It is grammatically correct and functions well in both professional and journalistic contexts. While it is similar to "had an impact", the use of the verb "created" adds a layer of intentionality and agency to the sentence. Writers should ensure they provide enough context to describe the nature of the impact to avoid being overly vague.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had an effect

Uses a more common verb that is slightly less descriptive than "created"

made a difference

Focuses more on the positive or qualitative change resulting from the action

exerted an influence

Implies a more active or forceful application of power or pressure

left a mark

A more idiomatic and metaphorical way to describe a lasting impression

produced a result

More clinical and focused on the final outcome rather than the influence

generated an outcome

Common in business and technical contexts to describe the end of a process

sparked a change

Emphasizes the beginning or initiation of a new direction

triggered a reaction

Specifically denotes a cause-and-effect relationship where the impact is a response

bore fruit

An idiomatic expression meaning the efforts led to a positive impact

wrought a change

A more literary and archaic choice emphasizing the effort involved in the creation

FAQs

Is "created an impact" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. According to Ludwig, it is a standard verb phrase used to describe the act of producing a significant effect or influence.

What is the difference between "created an impact" and "had an impact"?

While both are similar, "created an impact" sounds slightly more active and intentional, whereas "had an impact" can be used for accidental or passive results.

Can I use "made an impact" instead?

Yes, "made an impact" is a very common and natural alternative that is interchangeable in most contexts.

Is "created an impact" formal enough for an essay?

Yes, it is frequently found in academic and professional sources. However, for even higher formality, you might consider "exerted a significant influence".