implicitly understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "implicitly understand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a comprehension that is not explicitly stated but is understood through context or experience. Example: "Even without a formal explanation, she could implicitly understand the expectations of her role."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Many businesses implicitly understand this.

The New York Times

It's a point that Kevin Parker seems to implicitly understand.

The Guardian - Music

Humans implicitly understand this; algorithms don't unless you tell them to.

Harvard Business Review

"Even if women haven't studied this or seen this data, they often implicitly understand this, so they hold back".

The New York Times

"We implicitly understand that characters are having sex in most TV shows and movies, but we rarely see the conversations and negotiations that lead up to that point.

The Guardian - Music

Most Americans implicitly understand "freedom" doesn't mean the reduction of healthcare coverage, poorly funded schools or the end of protections for consumers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

But O'Leary isn't utterly incompetent with the meaning of these terms: he implicitly understands both names as rigid designators, and he has some substantive understanding of the object each name picks out.

SEP

By saying you go to Bardo or Life Bar, it is implicitly understood what that means.

The New York Times

The reason was implicitly understood: there is no hope for a better life if you stay in west Texas.

The Guardian - Opinion

The terms of e-laughter — "ha ha," "ho ho," "hee hee," "heh" — are implicitly understood by just about everybody.

The New Yorker

To the end, he still implicitly understood what happened on a dancefloor, and how to make it happen.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "implicitly understand" when you want to emphasize that a concept or idea is grasped without explicit communication or instruction. It's particularly effective when describing shared cultural knowledge or intuitive comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "implicitly understand" excessively in highly formal or technical writing where precision is paramount. In such contexts, it's often better to explicitly state the understanding to eliminate any ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "implicitly understand" functions as a verb phrase, where "implicitly" modifies the verb "understand". It describes a manner of comprehension that is not openly expressed but naturally inferred. As shown in Ludwig, people use it to express a non-explicit understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "implicitly understand" is a versatile expression used to convey a comprehension that isn't explicitly stated but is derived from context, experience, or shared knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its prevalence across diverse sources, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While generally neutral in register, careful usage is advised in highly formal settings where explicit articulation may be preferred. Common alternatives include "intuitively grasp" and "tacitly comprehend". As Ludwig examples show, it effectively highlights unspoken understandings and assumptions in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understand by implication

Highlights the act of grasping something that is suggested but not directly stated.

intuitively grasp

Emphasizes instinctive understanding without needing explicit explanation.

tacitly comprehend

Highlights understanding that is implied or indirectly expressed.

subconsciously perceive

Focuses on understanding occurring without conscious awareness.

sense without articulation

Emphasizes understanding that exists even if it cannot be explicitly expressed.

inherently know

Stresses knowledge that seems to be a natural part of someone's understanding.

gather without being told

Highlights the acquisition of understanding independently.

absorb without instruction

Focuses on learning and understanding passively, without formal teaching.

deduce from context

Emphasizes understanding based on surrounding information and clues.

infer from observation

Focuses on reaching an understanding through careful observation and analysis.

FAQs

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

You can use "implicitly understand" to show that someone knows something without it being directly explained. For example, "The students "implicitly understand" the rules of the game, even if they can't articulate them".

What are some alternatives to "implicitly understand"?

Alternatives include "intuitively grasp", "tacitly comprehend", or "subconsciously perceive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "implicitly understand" or "explicitly understand"?

The choice depends on the context. "Explicitly understand" means the understanding is directly communicated, while "implicitly understand" means it's understood without direct communication.

What does it mean to "implicitly understand" something?

To "implicitly understand" something means to grasp it indirectly, often through context, experience, or intuition, rather than through direct instruction or explanation.