have a meaningful impact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have a meaningful impact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the significance or importance of an action, decision, or event in making a difference. Example: "The new policy is designed to have a meaningful impact on reducing carbon emissions in our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We cannot have a meaningful impact in the international discussion until we develop a meaningful domestic consensus," Grumet said.

The Guardian

SDG16, is this basically wishful thinking or do you think it can actually have a meaningful impact?

The Guardian

Rescuing a single injured animal can have a meaningful impact on the population of an endangered species.

The New York Times

We need to get smarter about how we allocate aid if we want to really have a meaningful impact on preventing and reducing violence.

The Guardian

Editing the ticks themselves might be feasible, but it would be nearly impossible to release enough of them to have a meaningful impact.

The New Yorker

The increase may not have a meaningful impact on lending, though, since these figures are ceilings, and it's not clear that lending will reach them.

The New York Times

And that, Taivassalo explains, may have implications for neuromuscular diseases like ALS — for which no current therapies have a meaningful impact.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I think it will have a meaningful impact on the housing market," said Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody's Analytics.

The New York Times

He said investors seemed comfortable that the 787 problems were "not a showstopper, and will not have a meaningful impact on the positive trajectory of this aerospace upcycle".

The New York Times

"When Washington starts an energy debate, it's usually several years where you discuss everything except the only solution which will have a meaningful impact," Dr. Noël said.

The New York Times

The delegate, who was not identified, said OPEC would have to increase its production level by more than 500,000 barrels a day to have a meaningful impact on prices.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have a meaningful impact", consider quantifying the impact whenever possible. For example, instead of saying "the project will have a meaningful impact", specify "the project will reduce emissions by 15%".

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the effect of an action. If the impact is minimal or uncertain, use phrases like "may have some impact" or "could potentially have a small impact" instead of implying a certainty that doesn't exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a meaningful impact" functions as a verb phrase where "have" acts as the main verb, and "a meaningful impact" serves as the direct object. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have a meaningful impact" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression for indicating a significant and positive effect. As noted by Ludwig, it is considered correct and appropriate in various writing contexts. It's frequently observed in News & Media and Science publications. When using this phrase, consider quantifying the impact for clarity and avoid exaggerating its potential. Alternatives like "make a significant difference" or "exert a substantial influence" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a significant difference

Replaces "have" with "make" and "meaningful impact" with "significant difference", focusing on the degree of change.

exert a substantial influence

Uses "exert" instead of "have", and "substantial influence" in place of "meaningful impact", highlighting the power to affect something.

leave a lasting impression

Shifts the focus to the enduring nature of the impact, using "lasting impression" to replace "meaningful impact".

create a notable effect

Replaces "have" with "create", and uses "notable effect" to emphasize the visibility of the impact.

produce a tangible outcome

Focuses on the concrete results of the impact, using "tangible outcome" to highlight the real-world effects.

play a pivotal role

Emphasizes the importance of the contribution, suggesting a crucial part in achieving something.

generate a positive change

Highlights the beneficial aspect of the impact, using "positive change" to specify the nature of the effect.

bring about a valuable result

Focuses on the worth of the outcome, using "valuable result" to emphasize the positive consequence.

contribute significantly

Shortens the phrase, focusing on the action of contributing in a substantial way.

markedly improve something

Highlights the degree of improvement, focusing on a noticeable enhancement.

FAQs

How can I use "have a meaningful impact" in a sentence?

You can use "have a meaningful impact" to describe actions or decisions that create a significant and positive change. For example, "Investing in education can "have a meaningful impact" on a community's future".

What are some alternatives to saying "have a meaningful impact"?

Alternatives include "make a significant difference", "exert a substantial influence", or "create a notable effect", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "have a meaningful impact on" or "have a meaningful impact in"?

The correct preposition is "on". You "have a meaningful impact on" something. "In" is not typically used in this context.

What's the difference between "have a meaningful impact" and "make a difference"?

While similar, "have a meaningful impact" suggests a more significant and lasting effect than simply "make a difference". The former implies a deeper, more substantial change.