impress

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "impress" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of making a strong, positive impression on someone. Example sentence: I was so impressed by my daughter's piano performance that I was moved to tears.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I have deleted my Twitter account and will be making sure that I impress upon the rest of the squad the importance of realising what damage ill-judged remarks on social media can do," Coles said.

The Guardian - Sport

In Isis he would find true "brothers" who would value him, whom he could impress with his willingness to die, such as the burly jihadists flanking him in that photograph.

The Guardian

How to write a proposal that will impress agents and publishers.

The Guardian

"We were always trying to impress each other and go further.

The Guardian - Music

Robards wasn't name-dropping; he was big enough not to have to impress people about how big he was.

The Guardian

It began in an age when crafting a special mixtape was a popular way to impress a loved one.

The Guardian

Again, it's more egalitarian: there are fewer gatekeepers between you and the people who you might want to impress, or who might want to impress you.

The Guardian - Opinion

And some of those doing this – mums – are part of a demographic Tory spinners know that Cameron struggles to impress.

The Guardian

Among the wigs is the blatantly fictional Sabine de Barra (Kate Winslet), who fails to impress Le Nôtre with her fluffy hat and fluffier ideas.

The Guardian - Film

But the Queen's remarks, which were first disclosed by the Times's Scottish political editor Lindsay McIntosh, were warmly welcomed in private by the pro-UK side, who are keen to impress on voters that they will make an irrevocable decision if they vote for independence.

The Guardian

Related: Amazon's pilot season: Man in the High Castle and New Yorker Presents impress Generally speaking, it seems to be a case of the former.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "impress" someone, consider the specific qualities or skills valued in that context. Tailor your actions and presentation to align with those expectations for a more impactful outcome.

Common error

Avoid attempting to "impress" through superficial displays of knowledge or skill. Instead, demonstrate genuine competence and understanding relevant to the audience's needs and interests, as this is more likely to leave a lasting positive impression.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "impress" is as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It describes the action of making someone feel admiration or respect. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatility in various sentence structures and contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impress" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of making a strong, often positive, impact on someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. Its usage spans from formal business settings to news media, indicating a relatively neutral to professional register. To effectively use "impress", tailor your actions and presentation to the audience's expectations and focus on demonstrating genuine competence, rather than superficial displays. Common errors include misjudging audience preferences and overemphasizing irrelevant details. Alternative phrases like "leave an impression on" and "make a mark on" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave an impression on

This alternative focuses on the act of creating a lasting mark on someone's memory or feelings.

make a mark on

Similar to leaving an impression, this emphasizes the effect of the action on something or someone.

awe

This single word describes the feeling of reverence, admiration, or fear produced by something powerful or impressive.

astonish

This conveys a sense of surprise and wonderment, usually at something unexpected.

influence greatly

This alternative highlights the degree of impact one thing has on another.

have a strong effect on

This phrase underscores the intensity of the influence exerted.

overawe

This suggests a feeling of being overwhelmed by someone or something's power or grandeur.

captivate

This focuses on the charm and attraction that holds someone's attention.

dazzle

This emphasizes the brilliance and showiness that impresses others.

stir

This suggests a more subtle, emotional impact, evoking feelings or thoughts.

FAQs

How can I use the word "impress" in a sentence?

You can use "impress" to describe making a strong, positive impact on someone, as in "The speaker's eloquence impressed the audience" or "She aimed to impress her new boss with her dedication".

What are some synonyms for "impress"?

Alternatives to "impress" include "leave an impression on", "awe", "astonish", or "captivate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "impress on" or "impress upon"?

Both "impress on" and "impress upon" are correct and can be used interchangeably to mean to emphasize or instill something in someone's mind, as in "I want to impress on you the importance of this task" or "I want to impress upon you the importance of this task".

What's the difference between "impress" and "affect"?

"Impress" typically implies a positive or strong impact that evokes admiration or respect, while "affect" is a more general term meaning to have an effect on something, which can be positive, negative, or neutral. Impressing someone often means you "influence greatly" them in a favorable way.