implicit understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "implicit understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mutual comprehension or agreement that is not explicitly stated but is understood by the parties involved. Example: "Their long friendship led to an implicit understanding that they would always support each other, no matter the circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I would describe it much more as an implicit understanding.

The New Yorker

And it has developed an implicit understanding with neighbouring cities.

The Economist

It's interpretive, not mechanical — though the answer often boils down to an implicit understanding of commas.

The New Yorker

Nothing of a personal nature — no vow, no implicit understanding — held them together.

The New Yorker

But he said there was an implicit understanding that high-ranking officials were off limits.

The New York Times

These included, supremely, an implicit understanding of what makes professional footballers function at optimum levels.

Independent

I think he has a pretty implicit understanding of what he bought into and he sees it more clearly now.

The Guardian - Sport

There was an implicit understanding, when power was being abused, that by God, it would be done right.

The Guardian - Business

It had argued that the big firms might arrive at an implicit understanding to restrict industry supply.

The Economist

"They had reached an implicit understanding that neither believed the other could be blamed for any general failures in their shared life," Mr. Bock writes.

The New York Times - Books

"When you say a job will be there in 12 months, the implicit understanding is it will be there if the business will support it," Mr. Miller said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "implicit understanding" to describe situations where a formal agreement is absent, but the involved parties behave as though one exists. This often arises from repeated interactions or shared contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "implicit understanding" when an agreement is explicitly stated or formally documented. It is best suited for scenarios where the comprehension is derived contextually, not verbally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "implicit understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a state of shared comprehension that isn't openly expressed. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent and grammatically correct use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "implicit understanding" is a frequently used and grammatically sound noun phrase signifying an unstated but mutually recognized agreement. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, notably news and media, science, and formal business settings. While synonyms like "tacit agreement" and "unspoken agreement" exist, the key is to use the phrase when describing inferred, rather than explicit, agreements. This analysis provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and effectively using the phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tacit agreement

Focuses on the agreement aspect, suggesting a silent or unspoken consensus.

unspoken agreement

Highlights the lack of verbalization in the agreement.

unwritten rule

Emphasizes the regulatory aspect of the understanding, implying a behavioral norm.

mutual understanding

Stresses the shared nature of the comprehension between parties.

implied agreement

Focuses on the suggestion or inference of an agreement rather than explicit statement.

tacit knowledge

Highlights the knowledge aspect, implying understanding gained through experience.

subtextual awareness

Emphasizes a deeper reading between the lines for hidden meanings.

unstated assumption

Focuses on underlying beliefs that are taken for granted.

shared assumption

Highlights the collective agreement on a basic premise or belief.

understood condition

Focuses on a requirement that is not formally articulated but generally accepted.

FAQs

What is an "implicit understanding"?

An "implicit understanding" refers to a mutual comprehension or agreement that is not explicitly stated but is understood by the parties involved through context, behavior, or prior interactions.

How do you use "implicit understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "implicit understanding" to describe unstated agreements or shared knowledge. For example, "There was an implicit understanding that everyone would contribute to the project's success."

What can I say instead of "implicit understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "tacit agreement", "unspoken agreement", or "mutual understanding" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "implicit understanding" and "explicit agreement"?

"Implicit understanding" is unstated and inferred, while "explicit agreement" is formally declared and documented. The former relies on context, while the latter relies on direct communication.