impactful is not a word #2
2007 July 31
Long ago, I blogged about how ‘impactful’ is not a word. And yet it spreads through our language like a cancer. Now Bill Gates is using it! Also, check out the caption to the picture in this story. “Discerningly” where it should read “disconcertingly.” Language idiocy is spreading fast.
And that is why I am trepidatious about using English. Maybe once I am fluent in Latin (which will be never) I can just say a bunch of stuff no one understands and then I will look smart.
You don’t need to look smart, you are smart.
With the research I’ve done so far, I’ve yet to find a response as to why “impactful” should not be a word. Grammatically it follows all of the rules of the use of “ful”, and it seems to be reasonable. Other than pure grammatical snobbery, I’d love to hear a rational argument.
Just snobbery, that’s all.