Do you know the difference between “imminent” and “eminent”? These words sound similar when spoken, but you won’t want to mix them up in your writing. Check out our guide below to find out how they work.
“Imminent” is an adjective that means “happening very soon”:
The clouds suggest a storm is imminent.
There is a real danger of imminent violence.
The adverbial form of this word, meanwhile, is “imminently.” And, like “imminent,” we use this word when something is happening soon:
The report is due imminently.
In all cases, then, “imminent” will refer to something happening soon.
Also an adjective, “eminent” means “famous,” “important,” or “respected”:
He was an eminent figure in the theatrical world.
As an eminent scholar, she commanded great respect.
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More rarely, it can mean “present to a notable degree” for a positive quality:
The eminent readability of the book is its great strength.
The adverbial form of this word, “eminently,” means “very and obviously”:
The book is eminently readable from start to finish.
There is a subtle difference here (i.e., “eminently” does not imply fame or respectability). This is because these words come from an Old French word meaning “prominent.” And “prominent” can refer to importance (i.e., eminence) or standing out (i.e., to be “eminently” some quality).
While these words sound similar, they have very different meanings:
Likewise, with “imminently” and “eminently,” there is a key difference:
If you struggle to tell these spellings apart, remember that “imminent” and “imminently” start with the same three letters as “immediate,” since something imminent will happen in the immediate future.
For more help with the spelling in a document, meanwhile, why not try Proofed? You can even upload a 500-word sample document for free today to find out more about our services before you pay a penny.
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