if not explicitly stated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if not explicitly stated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is implied or understood without being directly mentioned. Example: "The rules of the game are clear, if not explicitly stated in the manual."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

In global companies, it's often assumed, if not explicitly stated, that the corporate ladder includes one or more rungs in non-domestic locations.

Harvard Business Review

And it was this ambition – hinted at, if not explicitly stated – that saw him strafed by Julian Lewis, the Conservative chairman of the Defence Select Committee.

Independent

Often assumed, if not explicitly stated, in these early globalization debates was the idea that freer trade may be harmful for wages and inequality in rich countries such as the United States, but it would generally be beneficial for people in poorer countries such as Mexico or India.

The New York Times

Matrices, if not explicitly stated, are assumed to have compatible dimensions.

Advances in Difference Equations

Matrix dimensions, if not explicitly stated, are assumed to be compatible with algebraic operations.

Advances in Difference Equations

If not explicitly stated the matrices are assumed to have compatible dimensions.

Advances in Difference Equations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"She is at least implicitly, if not explicitly, stating that there is going to be uncertainty about her findings because of the possibility the investigation could have been affected by leaks," said Daniel C. Richman, a former prosecutor who is a law professor at Columbia.

The New York Times

We labeled studies as controlled trials if randomization was not explicitly stated or if we could not confirm randomization by contacting the authors (see Table  1).

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

So often if something is not explicitly stated or shown, it's as though it doesn't exist.

HuffPost

Therefore, it can be assumed that missing data were not an issue even if this was not explicitly stated for each item in all publications.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

The clinical benign class consists of lesions that were given a benign diagnosis by the dermatologist but were referred to pathology, which indicates that malignancy could not be ruled out by the dermatologist, even if this was not explicitly stated.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if not explicitly stated" to clarify assumptions or default conditions in technical or formal writing where precision is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "if not explicitly stated" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pedantic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "otherwise" or "if not said" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if not explicitly stated" functions as an adverbial modifier, setting a condition or qualification. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to introduce an assumption or default condition that applies unless specifically overridden. This means that what follows is true unless there is something in direct contrast with it.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if not explicitly stated" is a useful phrase for clarifying implicit assumptions in formal and technical writing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as an adverbial modifier and serves to avoid ambiguity by addressing conditions that apply in the absence of direct statements. While common in scientific and professional contexts, it's best to avoid using this phrase in informal conversation or writing, as it can sound overly formal. Consider alternatives like "unless otherwise specified" or "unless stated otherwise" for greater conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if not expressly indicated

Similar to the original, but uses "indicated" for a slightly different nuance.

unless otherwise specified

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise and formal expression indicating a conditional exception.

unless stated otherwise

Similar to "unless otherwise specified" but slightly less formal.

in the absence of explicit statement

More formal and emphasizes the lack of a direct declaration.

assuming no explicit indication

Highlights the act of assumption based on the lack of clear indication.

absent an explicit declaration

Formal and emphasizes the missing explicit declaration.

where not expressly mentioned

Focuses on the act of mentioning something directly.

where not specifically detailed

Highlights the lack of specific details provided.

by tacit understanding

Emphasizes that the thing is understood without being openly expressed.

if it's only implied

Short, informal. It shifts focus to the implication of the statement.

FAQs

How can I use "if not explicitly stated" in a sentence?

You can use "if not explicitly stated" to introduce a condition or assumption that applies unless directly contradicted. For example, "The default settings apply, "if not explicitly stated" otherwise in the configuration file."

What is a more concise alternative to "if not explicitly stated"?

Alternatives include "unless otherwise specified" or "unless stated otherwise". These options are more direct and suitable for most contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "if not explicitly stated"?

This phrase is appropriate in formal writing, technical documentation, or legal contexts where it is important to clarify implicit assumptions or conditions. It provides a clear way to address what applies in the absence of a direct statement.

What's the difference between "if not explicitly stated" and "if not explicitly mentioned"?

"If not explicitly stated" focuses on the lack of a clear declaration, while "if not explicitly mentioned" simply indicates that something wasn't brought up. The former implies a default condition, while the latter is a neutral observation.