An impact is a special effect

2 comments May 21st, 2008

The verb “impact” means “to force tightly together; pack; wedge,” as in the case of an impacted tooth, or “to hit with force,” as when a large meteorite strikes a planet or moon.

I would like to see “impact” (as a noun, too) retain these distinctions and not become a synonym for “affect” or “effect.” However, it appears to be a losing battle.

There are so many references nowadays to “economic impact” and “environmental impact,” for example, that the word is losing its effectiveness — and becoming “effect.”