Inpatient or Impatient: Which Word Is the Right One?

English includes many words with sounds and spellings so similar they become easy to confuse. Impatient and inpatient are one such pair.

If you’ve ever found yourself tripping between impatient and inpatient, you’re in the right place. We’ll explain what each word means and help ensure you can distinguish the two from now on.

The Difference Between Impatient and Inpatient

It’s always good to start with a couple of quick definitions. Both inpatient and inpatient are valid English words. They mean different things, but neither is automatically wrong.

Impatient (with an “m”) is an adjective that describes someone who lacks patience (i.e., has trouble waiting for things). Here it is being used correctly in a couple of sentences:

I tend to get impatient when I’m waiting for my food to be served at a restaurant.

Sara isn’t usually impatient, but two hours in line at the DMV began to break her mold.

Inpatient (with an “n”) is a separate word that refers to someone who is staying inside a hospital, often overnight. It can function as a noun or an adjective. Here it is being used correctly in a pair of sentences:

Tom was admitted as an inpatient because the doctor wanted to order some tests. (noun)

This hospital has one of the mostly highly rated inpatient units in the country. (adjective)

An Easy Way to Differentiate Impatient and Inpatient

Because these words are so easy to confuse, here are a couple of devices to help you easily remember the difference:

The “in” in inpatient means the person is going into the hospital.

The “im” in impatient means the person is saying “I’m ready to get out of the hospital.”

Pop Quiz

Complete the sentences below with the proper use of impatient or inpatient:

1. Don’t be so [impatient / inpatient]; the show will begin shortly.

2. The hospital’s [impatient / inpatient] wing included many nurses.

3. Sally was so [impatient / inpatient] when she was younger, but she’s calmed a lot since then.

4. [Impatient / Inpatient] people can sometimes have difficulty making and following long-term plans.

5. The procedure isn’t dangerous, but you have to be admitted to the hospital as an [impatient / inpatient].

 

Pop Quiz Answers

1. Don’t be so impatient; the show will begin shortly.

2. The hospital’s inpatient wing included many nurses.

3. Sally was so impatient when she was younger, but she’s calmed a lot since then.

4. Impatient people can sometimes have difficulty making and following long-term plans.

5. The procedure isn’t dangerous, but you have to be admitted to the hospital as an inpatient.

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