impart
C1Formal to neutral. More common in written contexts, education, and professional settings.
Definition
Meaning
To give, grant, or bestow something (often abstract, like knowledge, information, or a quality).
To make information known; to communicate; to bestow a share or portion of; to lend a particular quality or character to something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Involves a transfer from a source to a recipient. Often used with abstract nouns (wisdom, knowledge, flavour, spin). Can imply a certain gravitas or importance in what is being shared.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or grammatical usage. Slightly more frequent in British academic/professional writing.
Connotations
Consistently formal/conveying significance in both varieties.
Frequency
Low-frequency in everyday conversation for both, but standard in formal/professional registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] imparts [Noun] to [Recipient][Subject] imparts [Noun]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to 'impart'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in training contexts: 'The mentor's role is to impart practical skills.'
Academic
Common in pedagogical discourse: 'The study aims to impart a deeper understanding of the theory.'
Everyday
Rare in casual talk. Might be used humorously: 'She tried to impart her 'wisdom' about dating.'
Technical
Used in science/engineering: 'The chemical imparts a protective coating to the metal.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- A good teacher imparts not just facts but a passion for learning.
- The oak barrels impart a distinctive colour and flavour to the whisky.
American English
- The training seminar is designed to impart key management strategies.
- The fabric softener imparts a fresh scent to your laundry.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The story imparts a simple moral about kindness.
- He tried to impart his excitement to the team.
- Parents impart their values to their children.
- The spice imparts a wonderful aroma to the dish.
- The documentary aims to impart a nuanced understanding of the conflict.
- Her experience imparts a great deal of credibility to her advice.
- The true challenge lies in imparting these complex analytical skills effectively.
- The legal framework imparts certain rights and responsibilities to all parties involved.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
IMPART = IMportant PART. You impart the important part of what you know to someone else.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/INFORMATION IS A POSSESSION (to be given).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not a direct equivalent of 'рассказать' (to tell) — too formal.
- Not 'импортировать' (to import) — false friend.
- Closer to 'передавать', 'сообщать', 'придавать' (a quality).
Common Mistakes
- Using with a person as direct object: *'She imparted me the news.' (Correct: 'She imparted the news TO me.')
- Overusing in informal contexts where 'tell', 'share', or 'give' would be more natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely context for the verb 'impart'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. It is used almost exclusively with abstract nouns (knowledge, quality, feeling, flavour, motion). You wouldn't 'impart a book' to someone; you would 'give' or 'lend' it.
Primarily 'to' (impart something to someone). It can also be used transitively without a preposition if the recipient is clear from context (impart wisdom).
Yes, it is formal to neutral. In everyday conversation, synonyms like 'tell', 'share', or 'give' are far more common.
The related noun is 'impartation', but it is very rare. More common are nouns from its synonyms: 'communication', 'transmission', 'bestowal'.
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