In English, it’s common to come across words that are frequently confused due to their similar sounds and spellings. This confusion can lead to errors, particularly in academic writing, where choosing the correct word is crucial for conveying the intended meaning. Understanding the differences between these often-misused words is vital for clear and precise communication. A prime example of such commonly confused words is “imminent” versus “eminent.”
Definition of “imminent vs. eminent”
The word “imminent” is an adjective and describes something that is about to happen or is likely to occur very soon. It is typically used to indicate a looming threat that is expected to take place shortly.
On the other hand, “eminent” is an adjective that is used to describe a person who is highly respected, well-known, and distinguished in a particular field or profession. It can also imply something or someone to be clearly noticeable or outstanding.
Imminent
… acts as an adjective, indicating something is likely to occur shortly or is about to happen.
Eminent
… is an adjective that describes an individual who is exceptionally respected, noticeable, or outstanding.
“Imminent” and “eminent” are commonly confused due to their similar phonetics and spellings. While “imminent” is an adjective used to describe something about to happen, “eminent” is an adjective that describes a person to be well-known or outstanding. The words are spelt nearly identically, differing by only two letters. Therefore, it is vital to know the correct meanings to apply them in the correct context.
Using the word “imminent”
“Imminent” only acts as an adjective, pertaining to something that is happening very soon. The following sentences show examples of using the word in the correct context.
Examples
- The merger between the two companies is imminent.
- Her departure is imminent; she will leave any moment now.
- The doctor’s prognosis indicated imminent recovery.
Tip for using “imminent” correctly
Replacing “imminent” with synonyms can help you grasp a good understanding of using the word and extend your vocabulary. In academic writing, an advanced writing style is key. The table below illustrates synonyms for “imminent.”
| Synonyms | Examples |
| Approaching | The imminent deadline caused a flurry of activity in the office. |
| The approaching deadline caused a flurry of activity in the office. | |
| Forthcoming | The imminent graduation ceremony had everyone excited. |
| The forthcominggraduation ceremony had everyone excited. | |
| Impending | The dark clouds signaled an imminent storm. |
| The dark clouds signaled an impending storm. |
Using the word “eminent”
The adjective “eminent” refers to a person who is well-known and highly respected in a particular field or profession. It can also be used to describe someone as outstanding. The sentences below represent using the word in the correct context.
Examples
- The eminent scientist received a prestigious award.
- She consulted an eminent lawyer for her case.
- The city hosted an event with several eminent people.
Tip for using “eminent” correctly
Avoiding repetition and redundancy in your academic work is integral to maintaining qualitative work. Thus, it is imperative to gain writing skills with an extensive vocabulary to alternate between synonymous words. The following table represents three synonyms for “eminent” with example sentences.
| Synonyms | Examples |
| Distinguished | The eminent professor gave a lecture on climate change. |
| The distinguished professor gave a lecture on climate change. | |
| Prominent | She is an eminent figure in the field of medicine. |
| She is a prominent figure in the field of medicine. | |
| Renowned | The eminent author signed copies of his latest book. |
| The renowned author signed copies of his latest book. |
Test yourself!
Practice sheet
Use “imminent” or “eminent” in the blanks in the following sentences to check whether you grasped the correct understanding. The second tab shows the correct answers.
- The _______ arrival of the guests had everyone rushing to finish preparations.
- As an _______ historian, her lectures are always insightful and well-attended.
- He consulted an _______ surgeon about his health concerns.
- The _______ politician gave a speech that inspired many in the audience.
- The company’s _______ launch of the new product generated a lot of excitement.
- The _______ scientist was awarded the Nobel Prize for her groundbreaking research.
- The weather forecast warned of _______ heavy rain and strong winds.
- There was a sense of _______ danger as the fire spread rapidly.
- She was an _______ figure in the world of art and culture.
- With the deadline _______, the team worked around the clock to complete the project.
- The imminent arrival of the guests had everyone rushing to finish preparations.
- As an eminent historian, her lectures are always insightful and well-attended.
- He consulted an eminent surgeon about his health concerns.
- The eminent politician gave a speech that inspired many in the audience.
- The company’s imminent launch of the new product generated a lot of excitement.
- The eminent scientist was awarded the Nobel Prize for her groundbreaking research.
- The weather forecast warned of imminent heavy rain and strong winds.
- There was a sense of imminent danger as the fire spread rapidly.
- She was an eminent figure in the world of art and culture.
- With the deadline imminent, the team worked around the clock to complete the project.
FAQs
“Imminent” implies something impending, whereas “eminent” refers to high respect or fame.
Here are ten synonyms for “eminent”:
-
- Renowned
- Distinguished
- Prominent
- Famous
- Notable
- Esteemed
- Reputable
- Acclaimed
- Illustrious
- Celebrated
Here are some examples of using “imminent” in a sentence:
- The dark clouds indicated that a storm was imminent.
- The team’s victory seemed imminent as the match neared its end.
- Due to the company’s financial troubles, layoffs appeared imminent.
Here are some examples of using “eminent” in a sentence:
- The eminent scientist received numerous awards for her groundbreaking research.
- He is an eminent professor who has published several influential books.
- The conference featured numerous eminent speakers from various fields.
