If you’ve ever wondered whether “impressed with” or “impressed by” is the correct phrase, you’re not alone.
These two expressions often appear in everyday conversation and writing, leaving many English learners and native speakers unsure which one to use.
The good news is that both are grammatically correct, but they are used in slightly different ways depending on what you want to emphasize.
In this guide, you’ll discover the difference between impressed with and impressed by, learn the grammar rule behind each expression, see clear sentence examples, and understand the common mistakes to avoid.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which phrase fits your writing and speech with confidence.
Quick Answer
Both impressed with and impressed by are grammatically correct.
- Use impressed with when talking about the quality, result, or thing you admire.
- Use impressed by when focusing on the person, action, or cause of your admiration.
Examples:
- I was impressed with the presentation.
- I was impressed by her confidence.
Impressed With vs Impressed By: Main Difference
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Correct? | Best Used For | Example |
| Impressed With | Admiring a thing, quality, or result | ✅ Yes | Objects, work, performances, skills | I am impressed with your report. |
| Impressed By | Admiring the person, action, or cause | ✅ Yes | People, actions, achievements | I am impressed by your dedication. |
What Does “Impressed With” Mean?
Impressed with means you admire something because of its quality, appearance, or performance.
It usually focuses on the thing rather than the person.
Examples
- I was impressed with the new software.
- She is impressed with your writing skills.
- We were impressed with the hotel’s service.
- My teacher was impressed with my project.
- Everyone was impressed with the final design.
What Does “Impressed By” Mean?
Impressed by means something or someone caused your admiration.
It often highlights who or what created the impression.
Examples
- I was impressed by her honesty.
- We were impressed by the speaker.
- They were impressed by his hard work.
- Everyone was impressed by the rescue team’s bravery.
- She was impressed by how quickly he solved the problem.
How to Use “Impressed With or By”
Here are some simple rules.
Use impressed with when talking about:
- A product
- A performance
- A report
- A service
- A result
Examples
- I am impressed with your presentation.
- We were impressed with the restaurant.
Use impressed by when talking about:
- A person
- An action
- An achievement
- Something that caused the feeling
Examples
- I am impressed by your kindness.
- She was impressed by his leadership.
Compare
✅ I was impressed with the movie.
✅ I was impressed by the director.
Where to Use “Impressed With or By”
Both expressions work well in many situations.
School Writing
- The teacher was impressed with my essay.
- The teacher was impressed by my improvement.
Formal Writing
Both forms are appropriate in reports, essays, and business writing.
Emails
- We were impressed with your proposal.
- We were impressed by your experience.
Everyday Conversation
- I am really impressed with your new phone.
- I am impressed by how patient you are.
Messages
- Wow! I am impressed with your photos.
- I am impressed by what you achieved.
Professional Communication
Both expressions sound natural and professional.
Why People Get Confused
People get confused because:
- Both phrases are grammatically correct.
- They often appear in similar situations.
- The difference is very small.
- Native speakers sometimes use either phrase naturally depending on what they want to emphasize.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Wrong:
I was impressed to your work.
Correct:
I was impressed with your work.
Explanation: Use with, not to.
Wrong:
She was impressed from his speech.
Correct:
She was impressed by his speech.
Explanation: Use by for the cause of the impression.
Wrong:
I am impressed of your skills.
Correct:
I am impressed with your skills.
Explanation: Of is incorrect here.
Wrong:
Everyone impressed with him.
Correct:
Everyone was impressed with him.
Explanation: Don’t forget the verb was or were.
Real-Life Examples
Meeting
We were impressed with the presentation.
School
The principal was impressed by the student’s confidence.
Travel
I was impressed with the hotel.
Work
My manager was impressed by my teamwork.
Message
I am really impressed with your photos!
Conversation
Everyone was impressed by her kindness.
Booking
Customers were impressed with the quick service.
Social Situation
We were impressed by how friendly everyone was.
Easy Trick to Remember
Think of it this way:
- With = the thing you admire.
- By = the person or action that caused the admiration.
If you are talking about what you admired, with usually fits better.
Mini Quiz
1. Which sentence is correct?
A. I am impressed to your work.
B. I am impressed with your work.
Answer: B
2. Which is correct?
A. She was impressed by his honesty.
B. She was impressed from his honesty.
Answer: A
3. Fill in the blank:
We were impressed ___ the service.
Answer: with
4. Fill in the blank:
Everyone was impressed ___ her leadership.
Answer: by
5. Are both “impressed with” and “impressed by” correct?
Answer: Yes.
6. Which one focuses more on the cause?
Answer: Impressed by
Related Confusing Words
- affect or effect
- your or you are
- its or it’s
- there or their
- gray or grey
- canceled or cancelled
- among or amongst
FAQs
Is “impressed with” correct?
Yes. It is correct and commonly used when talking about something you admire.
Is “impressed by” correct?
Yes. It is also correct and usually emphasizes the person or action that caused the impression.
What is the difference between “impressed with” and “impressed by”?
Impressed with focuses on the thing or quality. Impressed by focuses on the person, action, or cause.
Which one should I use?
Use whichever best matches your meaning. In many everyday situations, either one sounds natural.
Are these expressions formal?
Yes. Both are suitable for formal and informal English.
Conclusion
Both impressed with and impressed by are correct English expressions.
Use impressed with when talking about the thing or quality you admire, and use impressed by when emphasizing the person or action that created the impression.
Understanding this small difference will help you sound more natural and confident in both speaking and writing.
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Alexander Reed is an American author at WordsSign. He writes clear and well-researched articles on symbols, meanings, culture, and spiritual insights.
