implicit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "implicit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is understood or implied without being directly stated. Example: "Her approval was implicit in her nodding during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In an implicit criticism of Labour and the Tories, the deputy prime minister said that the majority of Scottish voters were not yet being offered what they wanted in next year's vote: further devolution within the UK.

The Guardian

Cameron has also been insisting Thatcher will be remembered for "saving the nation" from decline in the 1980s, leaving unsaid an implicit parallel with his own effort to clear up the fiscal deficit.

The Guardian

Instead of correcting or avoiding the influences of such biases, our study aims to reduce these implicit biases at the first place".

The Guardian

The implicit homophobia underlying these messages sends an alarming signal to any astute observer that homosexuality is simply not normal and homosexuals do not have any place with children.

The Guardian

As the final step in bringing evidence-based medicine to the patient, Sackett and colleagues had to persuade a sceptical medical profession, often eager to attack what was unfamiliar, to undertake the intellectual work implicit in the practice of this approach.

The Guardian

The latest figures, with their implicit threat of deflation, make all this much more urgent.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was, however, somewhat surprising for the review to produce an underlying or implicit argument that the only legitimate means of containing carbon emissions (if that's what some freakish people are into) are cost-effective means.

The Guardian

David Cameron's former strategy guru Steve Hilton has suggested bankers should be paid no more than senior civil servants as they rely on the implicit backing of the taxpayer.

The Guardian - Business

I'll leave it to others to comment on the astounding abdication of cultural responsibility implicit in this statement.

The Guardian - Books

"The idea of power-sharing is still implicit in these proposals.

The Guardian

Implicit in the latter was an assumption that volunteerism lacked the powers and wherewithal of the state to provide basic, universal services.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "implicit" to describe assumptions or understandings that are not openly expressed, providing a nuanced way to convey implied meanings without direct statements.

Common error

Avoid using "implicit" when you actually mean something explicit or obvious. "Implicit" suggests subtlety and indirect communication, not a clear and open statement.

Linguistic Context

The word "implicit" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate something suggested or understood without being directly stated. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "implicit" is used to describe something suggested or understood without being directly expressed. As Ludwig AI indicates, this term is grammatically correct and commonly employed across diverse domains. Predominantly found in news and media, it also frequents formal business and scientific writing. Its purpose is to convey subtle nuances, hinting at underlying assumptions or understandings. For more direct communication, consider alternatives like "implied", "tacit", or "unspoken". Remember, "implicit" differs from "explicit", the latter referring to something directly stated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implied indirectly

Expands on the definition of "implicit" by adding "indirectly".

implied

Direct synonym; conveys a similar meaning of suggested or understood without being openly stated.

tacit

Focuses on unspoken agreements or understandings.

unspoken

Highlights the lack of verbal expression, similar to "implicit".

understood

Emphasizes the comprehension of something without explicit communication.

inferred

Highlights the process of drawing a conclusion from indirect evidence.

suggested

Indicates a subtle or indirect indication.

underlying

Focuses on the fundamental or foundational aspect that is not immediately apparent.

inherent

Refers to a quality that is naturally part of something.

assumed

Highlights something taken for granted without proof.

FAQs

How to use "implicit" in a sentence?

Use "implicit" to describe something that is suggested or understood though not plainly expressed. For example, "There was an "implicit agreement" between them."

What can I say instead of "implicit"?

You can use alternatives like "implied", "tacit", or "understood" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "implicit" or "explicit"?

"Implicit" refers to something suggested or implied, while "explicit" refers to something clearly stated. The correct choice depends on whether the information is directly expressed or not.

What's the difference between "implicit" and "inherent"?

"Implicit" means suggested or understood though not plainly expressed, while "inherent" means existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute. "Inherent" is about intrinsic qualities, while "implicit" is about implied meanings.