Key Difference – Impact vs Implication
Many individuals tend to mix up the words impact and implication when discussing the influences, consequences, and effects of something. Impact involves a significant influence or effect, while implication refers to potential consequences. The fundamental difference between impact and implication is that implications are not always clear or obvious, whereas impact is direct and apparent.
What Does Impact Mean?
Impact can function as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, impact can have two meanings: it may refer to a significant or powerful influence or effect, or to the action of one object forcefully coming into contact with another, such as in the following examples:
– It’s incredible that he survived that impact.
– This event had a significant impact on my life.
– Skipping lectures can negatively impact your academic life.
– The scientists researched its impact on the environment.
As a verb, impact also has two meanings: to come into forceful contact with another object or to have a strong effect on someone or something, such as in the following examples:
– These incidents didn’t positively impact his life.
– The shell impacted a few yards away.
– Divorce has a negative impact on a child’s life.
It is only one of these meanings that typically confuses English learners. When impact denotes influence, it refers to how something affects another thing, which is similar to implications.
What Does Implication Mean?
Implication can also have various meanings, but in this context, we are only concerned with one of these meanings: possible consequences of something. Implication can refer to a future result or effect, such as in the following examples:
– Many people are unaware of the implications of this decision.
– His retirement has major political implications.
– They analyzed the practical implications of this discovery.
Implication can also mean something that is suggested without being said directly, such as in the following example:
– He realized the implications of their decision.
What is the difference between Impact and Implication?
Meaning:
– Impact refers to a significant or powerful influence.
– Implications refer to potential consequences.
Can vs Will:
– Impact describes what will happen due to some action.
– Implication describes what can happen due to some action.
Direct vs Indirect:
– Impact refers to direct influence.
– Implications may be hidden.
Grammatical Category:
– Impact is a noun and a verb.
– Implication is a noun.
