implicates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "implicates" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something is involved in or connected to a situation, often in a negative or incriminating way. Example: "The evidence found at the scene implicates the suspect in the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I've had the benefit of seeing his [Sinodinos's] evidence in which he implicates he believes there was a phone call.

The Guardian

Militant groups fighting for a larger share of oil revenues rejected the plan, and renewed their offensive, killing at least two people in an attack on an army barracks.Kenyan MPs approved a report that implicates senior ministers and civil servants in corruption.

The Economist

It is not clear that the evidence implicates Mr Arafat, but American policymakers have been exasperated by his blanket denials of any knowledge of the shipment, and by his failure to rein in attacks on Israeli civilians.Under Congressional pressure, American policymakers are believed to be considering cutting all ties with Mr Arafat and his top officials.

The Economist

Ecuador countered by releasing what purports to be Reyes's diary, which implicates disgraced former aides of Mr Correa in accepting FARC money but not the president himself.

The Economist

In particular, work by Dr Fowler implicates another dopamine receptor, DRD2, and also 5HTT, which regulates serotonin levels, in influencing voter turnout.

The Economist

Yet it could lead to a new crescendo of legal troubles for the banks involved.The agreement, which imposes large fines on several European firms including Deutsche Bank, Société Générale and Royal Bank of Scotland, also implicates two big American banks.

The Economist

The Toulouse affair is dangerous because it implicates judges and police: corruption, it seems, has no bounds.

The Economist

Some research also implicates European banks, which borrowed greedily in American money markets before the crisis and used the funds to buy dodgy securities.

The Economist

Any instance of coherence implicates all others, but events still have their own reality.

SEP

We have to infer that a speaker implicates (2c) from the fact that the speaker uttered (2a) and is using English, together with our knowledge of what "therefore" means in English.

SEP

A man using (3a) is liable to mislead others if he does not realize that it implicates (3b), and may fail to communicate if he thinks it similarly implicates "It is not the case that several athletes smoke".

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "implicates" when you want to suggest a connection to something negative or incriminating. Be mindful of the strength of this connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "implicates" when the evidence is weak or the connection is tenuous. Using a milder term like "suggests" or "indicates" may be more appropriate if the link is not definitive.

Linguistic Context

Implicates primarily functions as a transitive verb. It connects a subject (evidence, report, diary) to an object (person, entity) suggesting their involvement, often in a negative or undesirable situation. According to Ludwig, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "implicates" is grammatically correct and frequently used, primarily in news and science contexts, to suggest involvement in something, often negative. While Ludwig AI indicates its usability in written English, it's crucial to use it judiciously, ensuring the connection isn't overstated. Alternatives such as "suggests involvement" or "points to" may be more suitable when the evidence is weak. Overall, "implicates" is a valuable term for conveying a connection with possible negative consequences, but requires careful consideration of context and strength of evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incriminates

Strongly suggests that someone is guilty of a crime or wrongdoing.

suggests involvement

This phrase is a more general way of indicating that someone or something is connected to a situation, often without the strong negative connotation of "implicates".

suggests complicity

This alternative specifically points to involvement in wrongdoing, similar to "implicates" but often stronger.

points to

A less direct way of indicating involvement, often used when evidence is circumstantial.

connects to

A more neutral alternative, indicating a link or association without necessarily implying blame.

links to

Similar to "connects to", but perhaps suggesting a stronger or more direct relationship.

entails

Indicates that something is a necessary consequence or part of something else.

indicates

A broad term suggesting that something serves as a sign or signal of something else.

compromises

Specifically suggests that someone's integrity or reputation is at stake, implying involvement in a problematic situation.

attributes

Connects something to a cause or origin, implying a relationship but not necessarily blame.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "implicates" someone?

When something "implicates" someone, it suggests they are involved in or connected to something, often a crime or wrongdoing. It doesn't necessarily mean they are guilty, but it suggests a connection that warrants further investigation.

What can I say instead of "implicates"?

You can use alternatives like "suggests involvement", "points to", or "connects to" depending on the context.

Is "implicates" a formal word?

"Implicates" is a relatively formal word, often used in legal, news, and academic contexts. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "suggests" might be more appropriate.

How strong is the suggestion when something "implicates" someone?

The strength of the suggestion with "implicates" is moderate to strong. It's stronger than simply "suggests" but weaker than "proves". It implies a reasonable basis for suspicion or connection, though not necessarily definitive proof.