make a significant impact

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a significant impact" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it any time you want to refer to someone making a noticeable or powerful effect. For example: "John's donation to the charity helped to make a significant impact on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Programmable thermostats can make a significant impact.

The Guardian

He could make a significant impact".

The New York Times

We can make a significant impact," Mr Polman said.

Independent

The Giants' receivers, meanwhile, did not make a significant impact.

The New York Times - Sports

"Even Michael at his best could not make a significant impact there.

The New York Times - Sports

Darren Bennett, punter The first Australian to make a significant impact in the NFL.

The Guardian - Sport

"There is a small window when you can make a significant impact.

The Guardian

Cash payments for grades failed to make a significant impact on his pupils.

The Guardian

By naming a Fellowship, you can make a significant impact on the student experience.

Columbia University

It has long been established that workplace environments make a significant impact on employees' health.

The Guardian

We know this can be done and if it happened everywhere it could make a significant impact on tackling overcrowding.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to highlight the lasting nature of an impact, consider pairing "make a significant impact" with time-related adverbs or adjectives, like "make a lasting significant impact" or "make a significant impact over time."

Common error

Avoid using "make a significant impact" when the actual effect is minor or negligible. Ensure the context supports the claim of significance to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a significant impact" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of producing a noticeable and important effect. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase often appears in sentences describing contributions, actions, or changes that have a noteworthy consequence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a significant impact" is a versatile and widely used expression to describe actions or contributions with noticeable and important effects. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While alternatives like "have a considerable effect" or "exert a major influence" exist, "make a significant impact" remains a strong and clear choice. When using it, ensure the context supports the claim of significance. Consider using it in association with other temporal clauses to highlight the duration of the effect. In conclusion, this phrase is a valuable tool for effectively communicating the importance of actions and their consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a real difference

Highlights the genuineness and tangibility of the impact, focusing on a practical change.

have a considerable effect

Emphasizes the degree or extent of the effect, suggesting a noticeable change.

exert a major influence

Focuses on the power to affect someone or something, highlighting the importance of influence.

create a substantial difference

Highlights the positive aspect of the impact, emphasizing the creation of a notable change.

leave a lasting impression

Stresses the enduring quality of the impact, indicating that it remains over time.

play a pivotal role

Suggests a crucial or decisive function in a particular situation or process.

contribute significantly

Focuses on the act of contributing, underlining the importance of the contribution made.

have a marked effect

Indicates a clearly noticeable or distinct effect, emphasizing the visibility of the impact.

generate a positive change

Focuses on the creation of a positive alteration, highlighting the improvement brought about.

effect a transformation

Emphasizes the comprehensive and fundamental nature of the change brought about.

FAQs

How can I use "make a significant impact" in a sentence?

You can use "make a significant impact" to describe actions or contributions that have a noticeable and important effect, for example, "Volunteering your time can "make a significant impact" on the lives of others."

What are some alternatives to "make a significant impact"?

You can use alternatives like "have a considerable effect", "exert a major influence", or "create a substantial difference" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "make a significant impact" or "have a significant impact"?

Both "make a significant impact" and "have a significant impact" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference or the specific nuance you want to convey, but they are largely interchangeable.

What's the difference between "make a significant impact" and "make a big impact"?

While both phrases suggest a noticeable effect, "make a significant impact" implies a more profound and lasting effect, whereas "make a big impact" might suggest something more immediate or widespread but not necessarily as deep. Consider the context to choose the more appropriate phrase.