impressive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "impressive" is a proper word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has had a powerful effect on someone, either positively or negatively. For example: "The performance given by the orchestra was truly impressive. Everyone in the audience was mesmerized by their expertise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Efforts to preserve the reefs lining the coast have resulted in an impressive recovery of plants and fish, and even experienced divers will be impressed by the aquatic life thriving just below the surface.

The Guardian - Travel

With its unexpected revival, Ripper Street has grown broader shoulders and a more confident gait, while retaining the stillness that made it so impressive in the first place.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Christie, viewed by many as the most moderate would-be candidate in attendance, reeled off impressive statistics from his re-election victory in New Jersey last year as he received a predictably lukewarm response from the conservative-leaning audience.

The Guardian

However technically impressive it might be, 3D technology is no substitute for a good story.

The Guardian - Film

Stephens has shown some encouraging signs in 2015 of coming back from what could be called her "sophomore slump" after a 2013 season that featured some impressive results at Grand Slams.

The Guardian - Sport

It's impressive when you look at the film's 0% Rotten Tomatoes rating but less so when you look at the opening for the first film, which was a stellar $31.8m.

The Guardian - Film

Despite the impressive finishing, the game lacked finesse for long spells and McCormack almost capitalised on slack Wigan defending for a second time after latching on to a cross-field pass from Michael Turner, only for the striker to be halted by a desperate last-ditch slide from Emmerson Boyce.

The Guardian - Sport

"Superficially it was impressive but the reality was it wasn't there in numbers or in fighting energy".

The Guardian

Meanwhile, Clark's Worcester club-mate Bianca Blackburn is to get a first start on Sunday at scrum-half after an impressive display off the bench in Swansea.

The Guardian - Sport

He was finally forced to admit his guilt due to a "meticulous and impressive" police operation, with help from British, American and Pakistani intelligence, Mr Justice Butterfield, the judge, was told.

The Guardian

At the other end of the pitch, star striker Amad Al-Hosni has troubled Australia in the past and is increasingly surrounded by younger team-mates as Le Guen, who is approaching an impressive three year anniversary in the job, has used his joint role as Olympic coach to smoothen the transition from youth teams to senior side.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impressive" to describe achievements, performances, or qualities that evoke admiration and respect. Ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect is impressive.

Common error

Avoid using "impressive" to describe mundane or ordinary things. Overusing the word can diminish its impact and make your writing sound less sincere.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "impressive" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that evokes admiration or has a strong impact. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sport

20%

Film

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Books

5%

Travel

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impressive" functions as an adjective used to describe something that evokes admiration or has a significant positive impact. Ludwig AI validates this and provides ample real-world examples. While grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news, sports, and film contexts, it's best to avoid overuse in mundane situations to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "remarkable" or "outstanding" to vary your language. Remember to use it to highlight achievements or qualities deserving of respect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkable

Focuses on the quality of being worthy of attention or notice due to being unusual or outstanding.

striking

Emphasizes the visual impact or how something immediately grabs attention.

outstanding

Indicates something that stands out from others in terms of quality or performance.

noteworthy

Highlights something significant or deserving of attention.

admirable

Suggests that something is deserving of praise or respect.

exceptional

Highlights a level of quality that is significantly above the norm.

formidable

Implies something that inspires respect or awe, often due to its size, strength, or skill.

memorable

Emphasizes the lasting impact or how easily something is remembered.

imposing

Focuses on the grandeur or stateliness of something that commands attention.

significant

Highlights the importance or consequence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "impressive" in a sentence?

Use "impressive" to describe something that evokes admiration because of its size, quality, or skill. For example, "The athlete's performance was truly "impressive"".

What can I say instead of "impressive"?

You can use alternatives like "remarkable", "striking", or "outstanding" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "impressive" to describe a person?

Yes, it is correct to use "impressive" to describe a person, especially when referring to their skills, achievements, or qualities. For example, "She is an "impressive" leader".

What's the difference between "impressive" and "imposing"?

"Impressive" suggests admiration or respect, while "imposing" suggests grandeur or dominance. Something imposing might not necessarily be "impressive", and vice versa.