Imputed vs Inputted Quiz: Test Yourself
Five quick questions on imputed vs inputted. Pick an answer to get instant feedback.
Flip Cards: Quick Review
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Attributed to someone, or assigned an estimated value.
“The fault was imputed to the manager.”
Entered into a computer or system.
“She inputted the figures into the sheet.”
A noun for what goes in, and a verb that can also be its own past tense.
“He input the password.”
A value treated as income for tax or accounting, though no cash changed hands.
“The benefit counts as imputed income.”
People compare imputed vs inputted because the words differ by just a few letters and both can involve numbers and data. They also sound similar when spoken quickly. Here is how each one works and how to avoid mixing them up.
| Term | Meaning | Part of speech / Category | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impute | To attribute or assign something to a person, cause or source | Verb / attribution | Do not impute bad motives to her. |
| Imputed | Attributed; estimated and assigned | Past tense and adjective | The tax form listed imputed income. |
| Input | Data or information put into a system; also the verb for entering it | Noun and verb | We need your input on the plan. |
| Inputted | Entered into a system | Past tense and participle of input | He inputted the codes by hand. |
| Inputting | Entering data into a system | Present participle | She is inputting the survey results. |
What does imputed mean?
Imputed means attributed to someone or something, often a fault, a motive or a value. The verb is impute, from a Latin word meaning to reckon or charge to someone’s account.
You will meet it in law (“imputed negligence”), tax and accounting (“imputed income”) and statistics (“imputed values” for missing data). In each case, something is being assigned or assumed, not directly observed or paid.
What does inputted mean?
Inputted means entered into a computer, database or other system. It is the past tense and past participle of the verb input.
It is common in everyday and workplace writing: “The clerk inputted the invoices,” or “The data was inputted twice by mistake.”
Imputed vs inputted: what’s the main difference?
The main difference is that imputed is about attributing or estimating, while inputted is about entering. One assigns a value or blame, and the other puts data into a system.
A quick test: if someone typed or loaded it in, use inputted. If it was assumed, estimated or ascribed, use imputed.
Do imputed and inputted share a root?
No. Impute comes from the Latin imputare, to reckon or charge, while input is an English word made from “in” and “put.” The similar spelling is a coincidence of the “-put-” letters.
That is why the meanings drift so far apart: one is about assigning, and the other is about placing something inside.
Is inputted a real word?
Yes. Dictionaries list inputted as a past form of input, and many writers also use input itself as the past tense (“She input the data”).
Both forms are accepted, though some style guides prefer one. Pick one and stay consistent within a document.
What is imputed income?
Imputed income is a value counted as income for tax or accounting purposes even though no cash was received. A common example is the value of a benefit an employer provides, which can be treated as taxable income.
The exact rules depend on the country and the type of benefit, so check with a tax professional for your situation.
What does imputing missing data mean?
In statistics, imputing means filling in missing values with estimates. Researchers might replace a missing age with the average age of similar respondents.
The resulting numbers are called imputed data. They are estimates, not values anyone actually recorded, which is why the term matters.
How can you remember which one to use?
Use inputted for data going into a system, and imputed for blame, value or estimates assigned to something. If you could replace the word with “entered,” choose inputted; if you could replace it with “attributed” or “estimated,” choose imputed.
Common Mistakes with Imputed vs Inputted
- ✗ She imputed the figures into the spreadsheet.
✓ She inputted the figures into the spreadsheet. - ✗ The tax office inputted a rental value to the owner’s income.
✓ The tax office imputed a rental value to the owner’s income. - ✗ The mistake was inputted to the new employee.
✓ The mistake was imputed to the new employee. - ✗ Please impute your password below.
✓ Please input your password below. - ✗ He inputed the numbers twice.
✓ He inputted (or input) the numbers twice.
Memory Tricks
- Inputted = IN: the data goes in.
- Imputed = attributed: think of someone assigning blame or a value from the outside.
- The replacement test: swap in “entered” for inputted and “attributed” or “estimated” for imputed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is inputted a word?
Yes. Dictionaries list inputted as a past form of input, and input itself is also used as the past tense.
What does imputed mean?
Imputed means attributed to someone or something, or estimated and assigned a value.
Should I use input or inputted?
Both are accepted as the past tense. Choose one and use it consistently.
What is imputed income?
Imputed income is a value counted as income for tax or accounting purposes even though no cash was received.
What does imputing missing data mean?
It means filling in missing values with estimates, such as replacing a missing age with the average age of similar respondents.
Conclusion
In the imputed vs inputted question, imputed means attributed or estimated, and inputted means entered into a system. Use imputed for blame, value and estimates, and inputted or input for data you put in. Share this with someone who mixes these up.