What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incoming
Example
The incoming tide brought in a lot of seaweed. [incoming: adjective]
Example
The incoming CEO will start next month. [incoming: noun]
Example
We need to prepare for the incoming storm. [incoming: adjective]
impending
Example
The impending deadline is causing a lot of stress. [impending: adjective]
Example
The impending storm is expected to hit tomorrow. [impending: adjective]
Example
The impending layoffs have caused a lot of anxiety among employees. [impending: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Incoming is more commonly used in everyday language than impending. Incoming is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while impending is less common and often used in formal or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between incoming and impending?
Incoming is more informal than impending, which is often used in formal or academic contexts.