"Considerable impact" means a significant or substantial effect or influence. It describes something that has a notable and often important consequence.
The meaning is largely compositional, meaning the combined meaning of "considerable" (large or important) and "impact" (effect or influence) creates the overall meaning. There's no hidden or idiomatic layer.
The register is generally neutral to formal. While usable in everyday conversation, it's particularly common in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts where a more precise and impactful description is desired.
The grammatical pattern is adjective + noun: "considerable" (adjective) + "impact" (noun). It often appears as the object of verbs like "have," "make," or "cause."
It's typically followed by the preposition "on" when specifying what is affected: "considerable impact on the environment," "considerable impact on sales."
Since it's not a phrasal verb, the components cannot be separated. "Considerable impact" functions as a unit.
Using a weaker verb like "be" (e.g., "It is considerable impact") sounds unnatural. Using the wrong preposition (e.g., "considerable impact at" or "in") is incorrect. Also, pairing it with trivial or insignificant subjects creates a mismatch in tone.
These examples are sourced from considerable impact on Ludwig.guru.
"This paper had considerable impact beyond the field of anthropology." — The New Yorker
"Such a step could have a considerable impact, analysts said." — The New York Times - Tech
"These can have a considerable impact on your business model." — The Guardian
"This will have a considerable impact on the quality of people's lives." — The Guardian
"Mr. Robertson gave the work focus and clarity, amplifying its considerable impact." — The New York Times - Arts
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/considerable+impact
Depending on the level of formality or the specific situation, you might want to vary your language.
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| significant effect | A close synonym, slightly less formal. |
| substantial influence | Emphasizes the power to affect something. |
| major impact | Common alternative, slightly less formal. |
| profound effect | Suggests a deep and far-reaching impact. |
| marked effect | Implies a noticeable or easily observed impact. |
| notable impact | Suggests the impact is worthy of attention. |
| powerful effect | Emphasizes the strength and force of the impact. |
Using the wrong preposition with "impact" (e.g., "impact at" instead of "impact on") is a common error. Trying to separate "considerable" and "impact" with other words disrupts the collocation and sounds unnatural. A common mistake is using a weaker adjective like "big" or "large" instead of "considerable" when aiming for a more formal tone.
| Expression | Meaning | Grammatical Pattern | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| considerable impact | A significant or substantial effect; a notable influence. | Adjective + Noun (object of a verb) | Neutral to Formal |
No, the words "considerable impact" should not be separated. They function as a fixed collocation, and inserting words between them would sound unnatural and grammatically incorrect. The phrase works best when kept together.
While both phrases are similar, "considerable impact" often implies a slightly larger or more noticeable effect than "significant impact." Both indicate importance, but "considerable" can suggest a greater degree or extent of influence. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.
While "big impact" is understandable, it's less formal and precise than "considerable impact." Using "big" is fine in casual conversation, but in formal writing or professional settings, "considerable" adds a layer of sophistication and conveys the seriousness of the effect more effectively.
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