impression of

USAGE SUMMARY

"impression of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an opinion or feeling you have about someone or something. For example: I had the impression of her as an ambitious and goal-oriented person.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That gives the impression of weightlessness.

The Economist

It gave a bad impression of women".

The Economist

What was your impression of the place?

The New Yorker

Battle communicated an impression of strength.

The New Yorker

Nor is this impression of novelty evanescent.

The New Yorker

The public's impression of Carter changed.

The New Yorker

Bluto's doing his impression of Joe Biden.

The New York Times

This creates the impression of emotional distance.

Independent

What was their impression of Julian Assange?

The New York Times

And an impression of strength.

The New York Times - Style

His impression of the talks?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impression of" to convey a subjective feeling or understanding rather than a definitive fact. For example, "I had the impression of her being very competent" is more appropriate than "I had the impression that she was the CEO" when you are unsure of her actual role.

Common error

Avoid using "impression of" when describing something directly observed or easily verifiable. It's better to say "I saw the car speeding" rather than "I had the impression of the car speeding" if you witnessed the event clearly.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "impression of" is to act as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It typically indicates a subjective feeling, idea, or understanding about someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

27%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "impression of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that conveys a subjective feeling, idea, or understanding. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, particularly for expressing an opinion or feeling about someone or something. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When using "impression of", remember to express subjective feelings rather than direct observations and, as shown in the provided examples, alternatives like ""sense of"" and ""perception of"" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of

Focuses on the feeling or perception one gets from something.

perception of

Highlights the way something is understood or interpreted.

feeling about

Emphasizes an emotional response or intuitive understanding.

view of

Indicates a considered opinion or perspective.

opinion on

Directly refers to a judgment or belief.

idea about

Suggests a thought or notion about something.

understanding of

Focuses on comprehension and knowledge.

effect of

Highlights the impact or influence something has.

impact of

Similar to 'effect of,' but often implies a stronger influence.

take on

Indicates a particular perspective or interpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "impression of" in a sentence?

Use "impression of" to express a subjective feeling or understanding you have formed about someone or something. For example, "My first "impression of" the city was its vibrant energy".

What are some alternatives to "impression of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "sense of", "perception of", or "feeling about" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always necessary to follow "impression" with "of"?

Yes, the phrase is "impression of". While "impression" can be used alone, it carries a different meaning. "Impression of" specifically refers to a subjective feeling or understanding.

What's the difference between "impression of" and "opinion on"?

"Impression of" often refers to a general feeling or initial understanding, while "opinion on" suggests a more considered judgment or belief. For example, "I have an "impression of" him as a kind person", versus "I have an "opinion on" his policies".