by way of implication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by way of implication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something is suggested or inferred rather than explicitly stated. Example: "The report, by way of implication, suggests that further research is needed to validate the findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is a mark of how deep America's gun pathology is that this would sound radical — a speech without any specific policy proposals, whose greatest force came by way of implication, by drawing a line between "Tucson and Aurora and Oak Creek and Newtown and communities from Columbine to Blacksburg before that".

The New Yorker

It is a mark of the depth of America's gun pathology that Mr Obama's words - "a speech without any specific policy proposals, whose greatest force came by way of implication" - would sound so radical, blogs Amy Davidson, also in The New Yorker.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

By way of implications, then, there are several to consider that might alter this perception.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Jeffrey Rosen's description of security British style, by way of CCTV, prompted debate on its implications.

The New York Times - Magazine

By way of example, the paper discusses the implications of formulating a bilevel model to integrate distribution and manufacturing, maintaining the hierarchy existing in the decision process.

Omega

Process Mineralogy has contributed significantly by way of powerful information that reveals process implications such as those resulting from grinding strategies or flotation selectivity challenges.

Minerals Engineering

There was an implication from Knudsen, by way of an exaggerated nod, that she had been asked to run for political office in real life, and she expanded on her previous comments that Tony Blair had worked his way into her portrayal of Birgitte Nyborg during the final season.

The Guardian

If there's anything proven by both of these movies, it's that bad art has moral implications: the deck-stacking and the attitudinizing of McQueen and Leigh point to problems by way of deepening and muddying them.

The New Yorker

Olneyville, by way of New York.

The New York Times

"They had zero by way of evidence".

The New York Times

This is Transylvania by way of Graceland.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by way of implication" to subtly introduce an idea that isn't directly stated. It's effective when you want the audience to draw their own conclusions, adding a layer of nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "by way of implication" when a direct statement would be clearer and more effective. Overusing it can make your writing sound convoluted and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by way of implication" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate that something is suggested or understood indirectly. As Ludwig AI's response states, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by way of implication" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to introduce suggestions or inferences indirectly. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though it's relatively rare in occurrence. While it appears in various contexts, including News & Media and Scientific publications, it maintains a neutral to slightly formal tone. Remember to wield it judiciously to avoid convoluted writing, and consider alternatives like "implicitly" or "by inference" for conciseness. The phrase serves to subtly guide the reader toward an unstated conclusion, adding depth and nuance to your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implicitly

Omits the prepositional phrase for a more direct adverbial expression.

by inference

Focuses on the process of inferring, rather than the manner of implying.

suggesting indirectly

Replaces the noun with a gerund phrase, emphasizing the act of suggesting.

by suggestion

Uses a simpler prepositional phrase focusing on suggestion.

inferentially

Replaces the prepositional phrase with an adverb.

tacitly

Indicates something understood or implied without being openly expressed.

by unstated conclusion

Emphasizes that the conclusion is not explicitly mentioned.

through veiled insinuation

Highlights a subtle and often indirect way of implying something.

inferred from

Shifts the focus to the source from which the implication is derived.

by its subtext

Highlights the underlying meaning rather than the direct statement.

FAQs

How can I use "by way of implication" in a sentence?

Use "by way of implication" to suggest something indirectly, hinting at a conclusion without explicitly stating it. For example, "The report, by way of implication, suggests that further funding is needed".

What does "by way of implication" mean?

"By way of implication" means suggesting something without saying it directly; hinting or implying rather than stating explicitly. It indicates that an idea is conveyed indirectly.

Which is correct, "by way of implication" or "by implication"?

Both phrases are correct, but "by implication" is more concise. "By way of implication" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the manner in which the idea is being suggested.

What are some alternatives to "by way of implication"?

You can use alternatives like "implicitly", "by inference", or "suggesting indirectly" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.