Implicated in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Implicated in" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate someone's involvement in a situation, often with a negative connotation, such as being involved in a crime or wrongdoing. Example: "The politician was implicated in a scandal that shook the entire nation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was not implicated in the inquiry.

The New York Times

It is implicated in the civilian deaths.

Independent

Glycoproteins are implicated in several other allergies.

The Economist

She's totally implicated in the film.

The New York Times

Luther was heavily implicated in this turnabout.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I wanted to be implicated in it.

The New Yorker

H7N9 contains mutations implicated in this switch.

The Economist

They are even implicated in border disputes.

The Guardian

We are implicated in the world.

The New York Times

They feel more implicated in their city".

The Guardian

(Reality shows are implicated in both campaigns).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "implicated in", be mindful of the negative connotation it carries. Ensure the context accurately reflects the suggestion of wrongdoing or involvement in something unfavorable. Consider if a more neutral term like "involved in" might be more appropriate if you do not want to imply guilt.

Common error

Avoid using "implicated in" when the connection is tenuous or speculative. The phrase suggests a significant degree of involvement, so use it only when there's concrete evidence or a strong suggestion of participation. Otherwise, use a more cautious phrase like "linked to" or "associated with".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "implicated in" functions as a passive participial phrase indicating involvement or connection, often with a negative connotation. Ludwig AI confirms its typical use to suggest someone's entanglement in a situation, typically with wrongdoing or a negative association.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "implicated in" is a commonly used expression signifying involvement or connection, particularly with a negative connotation. Grammatically sound and widely employed, it suggests that someone or something is linked to an undesirable event, situation, or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is typically associated with criminal investigations, scandals, and ethical violations. When using "implicated in", it's crucial to consider its implications of culpability and choose it when you mean to suggest the implication of fault, otherwise, "involved in" or "associated with" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Involved in

A broader term indicating participation or connection, lacking the specific negative implication of wrongdoing associated with "implicated".

Connected to

Implies a link or association, which may not necessarily suggest responsibility or wrongdoing.

Tied to

Suggests a close relationship or link, often implying dependence or consequence.

Linked to

Similar to "connected to", but may suggest a more causal relationship.

Associated with

Indicates a general relationship or connection, without necessarily implying direct involvement or responsibility.

Caught up in

Suggests unintentional or unwilling involvement in a situation, often negative.

Entangled in

Implies a complex or complicated involvement, often difficult to escape.

Mixed up in

Informal, suggesting questionable or undesirable involvement.

Incriminated in

Suggests direct evidence or accusation of involvement in wrongdoing, stronger than "implicated".

Accused of

Indicates a formal charge or allegation, without necessarily proving involvement.

FAQs

How is "implicated in" different from "involved in"?

"Implicated in" suggests a connection to something negative or illegal, implying potential guilt or wrongdoing. "Involved in" is more neutral, simply indicating participation or connection without implying fault.

What are some alternatives to "implicated in" that don't suggest wrongdoing?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "connected to", "associated with", or "linked to" to describe a relationship without implying guilt or wrongdoing.

Can "implicated in" be used in a positive context?

While technically possible, "implicated in" is rarely used in positive contexts. Its strong association with negative situations or wrongdoing makes it unsuitable for describing positive involvement. It is often preferred to use "involved in" or other alternatives in such cases.

What does it mean when someone is "not implicated in" something?

When someone is "not implicated in" something, it means there is no evidence or suggestion that they were involved in the situation, especially if that situation involves wrongdoing or illegal activity. It's a way of clearing someone of suspicion.