Meaning & use
leaves a lasting impression
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“leaves a lasting impression” is a form of “leave a lasting impression”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
phraseidiom
To affect someone so strongly that they remember it for a long time.
Grammar: Used with he, she or it; the base form is leave a lasting impression.
Patterns
- leaves a lasting impression on someone
- something leaves a lasting impression
That first teacher leaves a lasting impression on every student she meets.
A great song leaves a lasting impression long after it ends.
Her visit to the refugee camp leaves a lasting impression on her.
phraseidiom
To have an effect that continues for a long time, said of events or experiences.
Grammar: Often used for events, books or places rather than people.
Patterns
- leaves a lasting impression on something
- leaves a lasting impression
The war leaves a lasting impression on the whole region.
A well-designed building leaves a lasting impression on a city.
Word forms
| base form | leave a lasting impression |
|---|---|
| past tense | left a lasting impression |
| past participle | left a lasting impression |
| -ing form | leaving a lasting impression |
Common combinations
- leaves a lasting impression on someone
- The documentary leaves a lasting impression on young viewers.
- leaves a lasting impression on the mind
- Her poetry leaves a lasting impression on the mind.
- leaves a deep and lasting impression
- The ceremony leaves a deep and lasting impression.
- leaves a lasting impression for years
- A good mentor leaves a lasting impression for years.
Synonyms and how they differ
- sticks in your mind
- More informal and personal; it does not take 'on someone' as an object.
- makes a lasting impression
- Nearly the same, but make focuses on the moment of effect rather than the result that stays.
Word family
- lasting adjective
- Continuing for a long time.
- impression noun
- The feeling or opinion that stays with you.
Commonly confused: leaves a lasting impression or leaves a lasting expression?
leaves a lasting impression vs leaves a lasting expression
Expression means a look on a face; impression is the effect on someone's memory or opinion.
Practice
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose one answer.
With the singular subject 'her kindness' in the present tense, the verb takes -s: leaves. 'Leave' does not agree, 'leaving' cannot be the main verb, and 'lefts' is not a word.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “leaves a lasting impression”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.