Cool MateImpact vs Put this big a dent
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Impact
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Put this big a dent
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Impact
| Impact | Put this big a dent | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪmpækt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪmpækt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //pʊt ðɪs bɪg ə dɛnt//🇺🇸 //pʊt ðɪs bɪg ə dɛnt// |
| Meaning | The strong effect or change that something has on something else. | to make a significant impact or change. |
| Example | The impact of the new policy was felt immediately across the company. | His donation really put this big a dent in our fundraising efforts. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | big, considerable, dramatic, achieve, create, exert, under the impact of, impact on, impact upon, full, initial, asteroid, take, feel, absorb, occur, knock somebody/something…, speed, velocity, crater, on impact, the moment, point, time, etc. of impact | put a dent in, put this big a dent, make a dent |
| Antonyms | insignificance, ineffectiveness | ignore, neglect |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'effect' — remember that 'impact' often implies a stronger influence., Using 'impact' as a verb incorrectly, such as 'impacting on' instead of 'impacting'., Confusing the noun and verb forms — ensure the context matches the form used. | Confused with 'put a dent in' which is more common., Using 'big' incorrectly as an adverb., Omitting 'a' before 'dent'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'impact' when describing the effect of one thing on another. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts, but avoid using it in highly formal situations like academic papers. In casual conversation, synonyms like 'effect' might be more appropriate. | Often used metaphorically to describe making a noticeable difference in a situation. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts. Avoid in overly formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Impact vs Put this big a dent
What's the difference between Impact and Put this big a dent?
Impact: The strong effect or change that something has on something else. Put this big a dent: to make a significant impact or change.
Which is more common: Impact and Put this big a dent?
Impact is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Impact: The impact of the new policy was felt immediately across the company. Put this big a dent: His donation really put this big a dent in our fundraising efforts.
Can I use Impact and Put this big a dent interchangeably?
Not always. Impact and Put this big a dent are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.