implicitly say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "implicitly say" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something is being suggested or communicated indirectly rather than explicitly stated. Example: "While he didn't directly address the issue, his tone seemed to implicitly say that he was unhappy with the decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Guess what, he implicitly says about his crimes against economy, we're in it together.

The Guardian

They were implicitly saying: "This terrorism bubble has come to threaten open societies and all they value.

The New York Times

Even worse: one is implicitly saying those voters are not intelligent enough to see what is best for them.

The Guardian - Opinion

What need there was, the ruling implicitly said, was in this case outweighed by environmental insult to cherished waters.

The New York Times

The pope is "implicitly" saying, he said, "that you cannot anymore raise the objection that any use of the condom is an intrinsic evil".

The New York Times

Microsoft implicitly said as much this week, by letting its shareholders invest their cash elsewhere.The two bosses could also have chosen to remain bullies.

The Economist

Van Gaal, who trusts the United captain implicitly, said that Rooney had taken the first step to finding his form by admitting there was a problem.

Independent

"When the Pentagon lets these things be sold on base, it's implicitly saying these products are O.K., and they're not O.K.," he said.

The New York Times

"Karl clearly has a disposition where he likes to take risks, and George Bush trusts him implicitly," said Rich Bond, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee.

The New York Times

If you say instead that corporate profits benefit only the stockholders — which is what you're implicitly saying if you impute all profits taxes to the stockholders — so much for the warm and fuzzy feelings.

The New York Times

Mr. Gates implicitly said that the real threat to Pakistan was the collection of militant groups on the border with Afghanistan and not its archrival in the region, India.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "implicitly say" when you want to convey that a message or idea is being communicated indirectly, without being explicitly stated. This is useful when analyzing subtext, underlying meanings, or unspoken intentions.

Common error

Avoid using "implicitly say" when the simpler verb "imply" is more direct and effective. Overuse can make your writing sound verbose. Prefer "imply" for conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "implicitly say" functions as a verb phrase used to describe a form of indirect communication. It indicates that something is being conveyed or suggested without being explicitly stated. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "implicitly say" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe indirect communication. While Ludwig AI identifies it as correct, it is essential to use it judiciously, favoring more concise alternatives like "imply" when appropriate. The phrase serves to highlight the subtext of a message, inviting deeper analysis. Due to the lack of examples, its frequency of use cannot be reliably assessed, which also affects the expert rating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imply

Uses a single verb to directly convey the act of suggesting something without explicitly stating it.

suggest indirectly

Emphasizes the indirect nature of the suggestion, making the nuance more explicit.

intimate

Offers a more subtle and nuanced way of suggesting something, often carrying a hint of delicacy or discretion.

insinuate

Indicates a more subtle and often negative way of implying something, suggesting a hint or suspicion.

hint at

Focuses on giving a slight indication of something, without fully revealing it.

leave unsaid

Highlights the act of not explicitly stating something, implying that the meaning is still conveyed.

convey tacitly

Stresses the unspoken or unexpressed manner in which the message is communicated.

signal subtly

Emphasizes the understated and delicate manner of communication.

communicate indirectly

Focuses on the roundabout way in which the information is being passed.

allude to

Suggests making a casual or indirect reference to something.

FAQs

How can I use "implicitly say" in a sentence?

You can use "implicitly say" to describe a situation where something is communicated indirectly, such as: "His silence seemed to implicitly say that he disagreed with the proposal."

What's a good alternative to "implicitly say"?

Alternatives to "implicitly say" include "imply", "suggest indirectly", or "intimate", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "implicitly say" something or to say it directly?

Whether to "implicitly say" something or say it directly depends on the context. Direct communication is clearer, but indirect communication can be useful when tact or subtlety is required.

What is the difference between "implicitly say" and "explicitly say"?

"Implicitly say" means to communicate something indirectly, while "explicitly say" means to state something directly and clearly. If you "explicitly say" something, there is no room for interpretation.