Impeded vs Impended: Usage Guidelines and Popular Confusions

Are you confused about the difference between impeded and impended? You’re not alone. These two words can be easily mixed up, but fear not, we’re here to clear things up for you.

We should establish which of the two is the proper word to use. Impeded is the correct word, while impended is not commonly used in modern English.

So, what does impeded mean? Impeded means to obstruct or hinder the progress or movement of something or someone. For example, “The construction work on the road impeded the flow of traffic.”

On the other hand, impended means something is about to happen or is looming on the horizon. It is often used in a negative context. For example, “The storm clouds impended over the city, threatening to unleash their fury.”

Now that we’ve established the difference between the two words, let’s dive deeper into their meanings and usage in the English language.

Define Impeded

Impeded is a verb that means to obstruct or hinder the progress or movement of something or someone. It is often used to describe a situation where there is an obstacle or barrier preventing something from moving forward smoothly. The word is commonly used in various contexts such as sports, traffic, and business.

For example, a runner may be impeded by a hurdle on the track, causing them to slow down or lose momentum. Similarly, a traffic jam can impede the flow of vehicles on a busy road, causing delays and frustration for drivers.

In a business context, a lack of resources or support can impede the growth and success of a company. This can include factors such as limited funding, inadequate staffing, or outdated technology.

Define Impended

Impended is a verb that means to be about to happen or occur, especially with a sense of impending doom or danger. It is often used to describe a situation where there is a looming threat or potential disaster on the horizon.

For example, a storm may be impending, causing people to prepare for potential damage or evacuation. Similarly, a financial crisis may be impending, causing investors to take precautions to protect their assets.

The word impended is often used in a dramatic or ominous sense, suggesting that something significant or catastrophic is about to occur. It can also be used in a more neutral sense, simply indicating that an event is about to happen.

Comparison of Impeded vs Impended

Impeded	Impended
Obstruct or hinder progress or movement	About to happen or occur
Describes a situation with an obstacle or barrier	Describes a situation with a looming threat or potential disaster
Often used in sports, traffic, and business contexts	Often used in dramatic or ominous contexts

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Choosing the right word for a sentence can be a daunting task, especially when two words sound similar but have different meanings. One such example is the words impeded and impended. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use these words in a sentence.

How To Use Impeded In A Sentence

The word impeded is a verb that means to obstruct, hinder, or slow down the progress of something or someone. It is often used in situations where there is a physical or metaphorical barrier preventing something from moving forward.

Here are some examples of how to use impeded in a sentence:

• The construction work on the highway impeded the flow of traffic.
• Her fear of public speaking impeded her career growth.
• The heavy rain impeded our ability to see the road ahead.

As you can see, impeded is used to describe a situation where something is being blocked or slowed down.

How To Use Impended In A Sentence

The word impended is a verb that means to be about to happen or occur. It is often used to describe an event that is looming or imminent.

Here are some examples of how to use impended in a sentence:

• The storm clouds impended over the city, threatening to unleash their fury.
• The deadline for the project impended, causing stress and anxiety for the team.
• The sense of doom impended as the soldiers marched towards the battlefield.

As you can see, impended is used to describe a situation where something is about to happen or occur.

By understanding the difference between impeded and impended, you can choose the right word for your sentence and communicate your message clearly and effectively.

More Examples Of Impeded & Impended Used In Sentences

In order to better understand the difference between “impeded” and “impended,” let’s take a look at some examples of each word being used in a sentence.

Examples Of Using Impeded In A Sentence

• The heavy traffic impeded our progress on the highway.
• The construction work on the road impeded the flow of traffic.
• The language barrier impeded our ability to communicate effectively.
• The old injury impeded his ability to run long distances.
• The storm’s strong winds impeded the progress of the rescue team.
• The tight deadline impeded the quality of the final product.
• The lack of funding impeded the development of the new project.
• The thick fog impeded visibility on the road.
• The broken elevator impeded access to the upper floors of the building.
• The political unrest in the country impeded economic growth.

Examples Of Using Impended In A Sentence

• The storm clouds impended over the city, threatening to unleash their fury.
• The deadline for the project impended, causing stress for the team.
• The sense of impending doom hung over the town as the hurricane approached.
• The final exam impended, causing anxiety for the students.
• The threat of layoffs impended over the employees as the company faced financial difficulties.
• The decision of the court impended, causing tension among the parties involved.
• The feeling of impending danger caused us to take extra precautions.
• The ominous silence impended before the start of the battle.
• The sense of impending change hung in the air as the new CEO took over.
• The darkness of night impended as we drove through the deserted streets.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using impeded and impended, many people tend to use these two words interchangeably, which can lead to confusion and miscommunication. In this section, we will highlight the common mistakes people make when using these words and offer tips on how to avoid making these mistakes in the future.

Using Impeded And Impended Interchangeably

One of the most common mistakes people make when using impeded and impended is using these two words interchangeably. While they may sound similar, they have different meanings and should not be used interchangeably.

Impeded means to obstruct or hinder progress or movement, while impended means to be about to happen or occur. For example, you might say that construction work on the road impeded traffic flow, or that a severe thunderstorm impended over the city.

Using these words interchangeably can lead to confusion and miscommunication in your writing. For example, if you say that construction work impended traffic flow, it would suggest that traffic flow was about to happen, which is not correct.

Tips For Avoiding Mistakes

To avoid making mistakes when using impeded and impended, it’s important to understand their meanings and use them correctly. Here are some tips to help you:

• Use impeded when referring to obstacles or hindrances to progress or movement.
• Use impended when referring to something that is about to happen or occur.
• Check the definition and context of the word before using it in your writing.
• Proofread your writing to ensure that you have used the correct word.

Context Matters

Choosing between impeded and impended can be tricky, as the context in which they are used can greatly influence which word is more appropriate.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between impeded and impended might change:

Context	Appropriate Word Choice
Physical Obstruction	Impeded
When referring to physical obstruction, such as a blocked road or a crowded hallway, the appropriate word choice is impeded. For example, “The construction on the highway impeded traffic flow.”
Future Event	Impended
When referring to a future event that is looming or about to happen, the appropriate word choice is impended. For example, “The storm clouds in the distance impended a severe thunderstorm.”
Interference with Progress	Impeded
When referring to interference with progress, the appropriate word choice is impeded. For example, “The lack of funding for the project impeded its completion.”
Threatening Danger	Impended
When referring to a threatening danger that is about to happen, the appropriate word choice is impended. For example, “The dark clouds on the horizon impended a tornado.”

As demonstrated, the choice between impeded and impended can depend on the specific context in which they are used. It is important to consider the meaning and connotation of each word in order to choose the most appropriate one for the intended message.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using impeded and impended are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to be aware of. In certain contexts, the usual guidelines may not apply, and it’s important to understand these exceptions in order to use these words correctly.

Exceptions For Impeded

One exception to the rule for using impeded is when it is used in a figurative sense to describe the hindrance of progress or development. In this context, it can be used interchangeably with words like hindered, obstructed, or slowed down. For example:

• The construction of the new highway was impeded by legal challenges from environmental groups.
• The company’s growth was impeded by a lack of funding.

Another exception for impeded is when it is used in the medical field to describe a physical condition. In this context, it can mean that a bodily function is obstructed or blocked. For example:

• The patient’s breathing was impeded by a severe case of asthma.
• The blood flow to the heart was impeded by a clogged artery.

Exceptions For Impended

The word impended is less commonly used than impeded, and there are fewer exceptions to the standard rules for its use. However, one exception is when it is used in a poetic or literary context to describe a sense of impending doom or danger. In this context, it can be used to suggest that something bad is about to happen. For example:

• The storm clouds gathered on the horizon, and a sense of impending doom settled over the village.
• As the sun set, a feeling of dread impended over the travelers.

Another exception for impended is when it is used in a legal context to describe a pending legal action or decision. In this context, it can mean that something is about to happen, but it has not yet been decided. For example:

• The outcome of the trial impended over the defendant, who awaited the verdict with anxiety.
• The future of the company impended on the outcome of the board meeting.

By understanding these exceptions, you can use impeded and impended correctly in a variety of contexts.

Practice Exercises

Improving your understanding and usage of impeded and impended requires practice. Here are some exercises to help you:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Complete each sentence with the correct form of impeded or impended:

1. The construction work on the highway has __________ traffic flow.
2. Dark clouds __________ the sky, indicating an impending storm.
3. The athlete’s injury __________ his ability to perform at his best.
4. The teacher warned the students that failure to complete the assignment would __________ their grades.

Answer key:

1. impeded
2. impended
3. impeded
4. impede

Exercise 2: Choose The Correct Word

Select the correct form of the word to complete each sentence:

1. The storm clouds __________ over the horizon.
2. The traffic jam __________ my commute to work.
3. The threat of rain __________ our outdoor plans.
4. The broken elevator __________ our ability to access the top floor.

Answer key:

1. impended
2. impeded
3. impeded
4. impeded

Completing these exercises will help you to use impeded and impended with confidence. Remember, impeded means to hinder or obstruct, while impended means to be about to happen.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the difference between “impeded” and “impended” is subtle yet significant. “Impeded” refers to something that is obstructed or hindered, while “impended” refers to something that is about to happen or is looming in the near future.

It is important to pay attention to the context in which these words are used, as using the wrong word can change the meaning of a sentence entirely. This highlights the importance of having a strong understanding of grammar and language use.

Key Takeaways

• The words “impeded” and “impended” have different meanings and should be used in the appropriate context.
• Grammar and language use are important in conveying clear and concise messages.

By continuing to learn and practice proper grammar and language use, individuals can improve their communication skills and avoid any confusion or misinterpretation in their writing.