to form an impression of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to form an impression of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how someone perceives or evaluates a person, situation, or object based on available information or experiences. Example: "After meeting her for the first time, I was able to form an impression of her professionalism and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Aided by David Horan's incisive direction, Ms. Kinahan doles out only the minimum fragments necessary to form an impression of these disparate lives.

The New York Times

And to be fair, this is the first opportunity for many American Catholics to form an impression of Benedict as distilled through the extensive and largely favorable coverage of his visit by the news media.

The New York Times

Professor Bellitto said, "I have heard people in their 40s and 50s saying, 'I'll watch him on TV, but I met the real pope.' " The recent Pew poll found that 15percentt of Catholics had yet to form an impression of him.

The New York Times

The results show that the implementation of the static profile, derived from the pattern, initially helped students to form an impression of each other.

Computers in Human Behavior

Participants were asked to form an impression of the targets, but were not instructed to explicitly evaluate them based on social status.

NeuroImage

At the same time, the person that the individual is interacting with attempts to form an impression of, and obtain information about, the individual.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

These three factors were key to forming an impression of integrity, and were factors that students would (or would not) wish emulate in their future careers.

BMC Medical Education

To assess change directly, clinicians either form an impression of how much the patient's complaints or symptoms have changed, or they solicit the patient's judgment of this change directly (e.g. "Has your leg pain improved, stayed the same, or worsened?").

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Voters form an impression of an opposition leader very quickly, according to Osborne, who says it is up to the Tories to ensure that they define Corbyn as a dangerous hardliner.

The Guardian

You form an impression of the place.

The New York Times

But they may well form an impression of one of the candidates as more honest than the other.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for objectivity, use "to form an impression of" followed by specific, observable details or data points to support the impression.

Common error

Ensure the subject of your impression is clearly defined; avoid ambiguity by specifying what or whom the impression is about to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to form an impression of" functions as an infinitive phrase that often introduces a description of how someone perceives or understands something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to form an impression of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of developing an understanding or judgment. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While often used neutrally, its impact can be strengthened by providing supporting details. Be mindful of potential vagueness by clearly defining the subject of the impression. Consider using alternatives such as "to get a sense of" or "to develop an opinion about" to add precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to get a sense of

Focuses on gaining a general understanding or feeling rather than a structured evaluation.

to get an idea of

Indicates forming a basic or preliminary understanding.

to develop an opinion about

Highlights the formation of a personal viewpoint or belief.

to create a perception of

Emphasizes the process of generating an image or understanding in someone's mind.

to gain insight into

Suggests acquiring a deeper understanding of a complex topic or situation.

to draw conclusions about

Implies making judgments or inferences based on available information.

to form a judgment on

Stresses the act of making an evaluation or assessment.

to acquire knowledge of

Centers on obtaining factual information or awareness.

to build a picture of

Highlights the construction of a comprehensive mental image.

to understand the nature of

Focuses on comprehending the fundamental characteristics of something.

FAQs

How can I use "to form an impression of" in a sentence?

You can use "to form an impression of" when describing how someone develops an understanding or judgment about something. For example, "The jury needed more evidence "to form an impression of" the defendant's guilt".

What are some alternatives to "to form an impression of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to get a sense of", "to develop an opinion about", or "to create a perception of".

Is it better to say "to form an impression of" or "to make an impression on"?

"To form an impression of" describes the process of developing an understanding, while "to make an impression on" describes the act of influencing someone else's perception. They have different meanings and uses.

What factors influence someone's ability to "form an impression of" a person?

Factors such as appearance, behavior, communication style, and prior experiences with similar individuals can all influence how someone "to form an impression of" another person.