impetus - impulse - momentum

[gamboler]

Does this sentence sound right to a native?

"You have to take advantage of the strength and impetus of your adversary and make them your allies."

Is it better to use impulse instead of impetus? How about momentum?

(Veteran wrestler giving advice to a rookie).

 

[Tarheel]

I like momentum there.

 

[gamboler]

Thank, tarheel.
Would it also be correct to use impetus or impulse in this context?

 

[teechar]

Why do you have "allies" bolded? Is this a listening question?

 

[Tarheel]

Thanks, Tarheel.
Would it also be correct to use impetus or impulse in this context?

Possibly. But they do not, I think, mean the same thing.

 

[gamboler]

No especial reason to have "allies" bolded, teechar. I guess it's okay to use this word here, isn't it?

And no, it wasn't a listening question, just about what of the 3 words (impetus, impulse and momentum) was more idiomatic.
I discarded "momentum" at first sight because I though it was too technical and related to Physics:
MOMENTUM: (General Physics) The product of a body's mass and its velocity. Symbol: p See also angular momentum

Tarheel, my dictionary says all the three words are synonyms, but you are the native speaker.

 

[gamboler]

I wouldn't use "momento angular" (angular momentum) in Spanish unless I were a University Professor.
"Impulso" (impulse) and ímpetu (impetus) are more common words with the same meaning in my language, but English is English.

 

[Tarheel]

No special reason to have "allies" bolded, teechar. I guess it's okay to use this word here, isn't it?

And no, it wasn't a listening question, just about which of the three words (impetus, impulse and momentum) is more idiomatic.
I discarded "momentum" at first [STRIKE]sight[/STRIKE] because I though it was too technical and related to physics:
Momentum: (general physics) The product of a body's mass and its velocity. Symbol: p See also angular momentum.

Tarheel, my dictionary says all [STRIKE]the[/STRIKE] three words are synonyms, but you are the native speaker.

Thanks for posting that definition. It confirmed my opinion. (I don't get paid more for making more corrections. ;-) )

 

[GoesStation]

I wouldn't use "momento angular" (angular momentum) in Spanish unless I were a University Professor.

Indeed. We often use momentum figuratively in English.

 

[Tarheel]

I wouldn't use "momento angular" (angular momentum) in Spanish unless I were a university professor.

"Impulso" (impulse) and ímpetu (impetus) are more common words with the same meaning in my language, but English is English.

I think angular momentum is strictly a physics term, so you would be a physics professor.

Michigan University
University of Miami
Professor Williams
Professor Sowell

 

[emsr2d2]

... my dictionary says all the three words are synonyms,

I recommend you invest in a copy of Roget's Thesaurus if you want a definitive guide to synonyms. Dictionaries aren't always the best place to look.