he implied that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he implied that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone suggested something indirectly or without stating it outright. Example: "During the meeting, he implied that there might be budget cuts coming next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There was not, he implied, that much further down to go before obliteration loomed.

BBC

He implied that this invalidated my argument.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He implied that he could solve it.

The New York Times - Magazine

But he implied that he would appeal.

The New York Times

He implied that we were a joke.

The New York Times - Arts

He implied that Paine had also attempted to bribe Kidd.

The New Yorker

He implied that Iran would cross that line soon.

The New York Times

But he implied that he would do them simultaneously.

The New York Times

However, he implied that the revelations had not taken him by surprise.

Independent

He implied that Ms Kyenge, an eye doctor, frequented an area used by prostitutes.

The Economist

And he implied that Interpol could do the job for us.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he implied that" when you want to convey that someone communicated something indirectly, without stating it explicitly. This is useful when the speaker's intention is clear but not directly expressed.

Common error

Be careful not to present what someone "implied" as a definitive statement of fact. An implication is not a direct assertion and should be framed as such to avoid misrepresenting the speaker's viewpoint.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he implied that" functions as a reporting verb construction, used to introduce a subordinate clause that conveys an indirect statement. According to Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used, making it a reliable way to report implications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he implied that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate an indirect statement or suggestion. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is common across various contexts, particularly in news and media. It is crucial to differentiate between an implication and a direct statement when using this phrase to maintain accuracy. Alternatives like ""he suggested that"" or ""he hinted that"" may be suitable depending on the context. Remember to avoid presenting implications as facts to prevent misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he indicated that

This alternative conveys a more neutral and less forceful communication of an idea or information.

he suggested indirectly that

This option emphasizes the lack of directness in the suggestion, making it less overt.

he suggested that

This alternative indicates a slightly more direct form of communication than "implied", but still lacks explicit declaration.

he hinted that

This option suggests a subtle and indirect indication, often relying on suggestion rather than direct statement.

he intimated that

This suggests a delicate and indirect way of conveying information, often subtly.

he insinuated that

This phrase implies a subtle and often negative suggestion, adding a layer of possible criticism or doubt.

he gave the impression that

This focuses on the perception created, rather than the speaker's intention or specific words.

he led one to believe that

This emphasizes the effect of the speaker's words or actions on the listener's understanding.

he left the impression that

Similar to "gave the impression", this phrase highlights the lasting effect of the communication.

he meant that

This alternative focuses on the speaker's intention, rather than the way the message was conveyed.

FAQs

What does "he implied that" mean?

The phrase "he implied that" means that someone suggested something indirectly, without stating it explicitly. It indicates a subtle communication of an idea or intention.

What are some alternatives to "he implied that"?

You can use alternatives like "he suggested that", "he hinted that", or "he indicated that" depending on the context and the degree of indirectness.

When is it appropriate to use "he implied that" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "he implied that" when you want to accurately represent that someone didn't directly state something but suggested it through their words, tone, or actions. Make sure the implication is reasonably clear to the audience.

What is the difference between "he implied that" and "he stated that"?

"He implied that" indicates an indirect suggestion, while "he stated that" indicates a direct and explicit declaration. The former is subtle and open to interpretation, whereas the latter is a clear assertion.