implied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "implied" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate something that is suggested or understood without being directly stated. Example: "Her smile implied that she was pleased with the outcome of the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The same of course is also true of the Labour-SNP bloc of seats: even if Nicola Sturgeon's party were to win in 30-40 constituencies, and not in the 50 or more implied in the polls, most of those seats would be staying with Labour.

The Guardian

"At a stroke, this would make the implied cuts for non-protected departments and welfare slightly more plausible (if still very severe), mark an 'end to austerity' by the middle of the parliament and soften (at the margins) the pressure on the Bank to keep monetary policy on the floor".

The Guardian

Mr Stan Crowther, Labour MP for Rotherham and former mayor of the town, said he was unhappy with the socialist republic slogan because it wrongly implied South Yorkshire could act independently of decisions at Westminster.

The Guardian

In the outrage of their opponents, meanwhile, there are implied visions of Nazi bonfires and claims of a heart-stopping offence to age-old ideas about knowledge, wisdom and information.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some suggested that Putin's rhetoric about a "fifth column" inside Russia had created an atmosphere of hatred that may have been seized on by radical nationalists, while others implied Putin may have ordered the killing.

The Guardian

Patrick Marber said that he liked the title Closer, which he took from a Joy Division album, because it implied motion.

The Guardian

She has repeatedly implied that President Obama is a terrorist and/or "pals around" with terrorists.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has been implied that the new technologies of digital and Online are a commercial distraction from our core purpose.

The Guardian

Weale and McCafferty remained concerned about the longer-term inflationary outlook, but, "noted the risk that low inflation might persist for longer than the temporary factors implied and concluded that this risk would be increased by an increase in Bank Rate at the current juncture".

The Guardian - Business

Remarkably, in 1959, Liberace won a lawsuit against the Daily Mirror after it implied he was what was then called a "homosexualist".

The Guardian - Film

In its annual report, the Basel-based Bank for International Settlements (BIS) states: "Output is about 12.5% below the path implied by a continuation of the pre-crisis trend in the United States and 18.5% in the United Kingdom".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "implied", ensure the context provides sufficient clues for the audience to accurately infer the intended meaning. Ambiguity can lead to misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "implied" when describing the receiver's understanding. "Implied" is what the speaker or writer suggests, while "inferred" is what the audience understands. A speaker implies, an audience infers.

Linguistic Context

The word "implied" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is suggested or understood without being explicitly stated. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is often used to describe a meaning or condition that is not directly expressed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "implied" functions as an adjective that means something is suggested or understood without being directly expressed. It is grammatically correct and very common in written English, particularly in news and media. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is suitable for neutral contexts. While "implied" is frequently used to convey indirect meanings, it's crucial to avoid confusion with "inferred", which describes the understanding of the receiver. When writing, ensure sufficient context clues are provided to prevent misinterpretations. Consider alternatives such as "suggested", "hinted" or "indicated" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggested

Focuses on a subtle hint or indication, rather than a firm conclusion.

hinted

Indicates a more subtle and less direct suggestion than "implied".

inferred

Shifts the focus to the listener or reader drawing a conclusion, rather than the speaker suggesting it.

indicated

Implies a clearer sign or signal, making the suggestion more evident.

alluded to

Involves a more indirect and often literary or sophisticated reference.

intimated

Suggests a delicate or subtle way of making something known.

connoted

Highlights the associated or secondary meanings of a word or phrase.

left unsaid

Emphasizes that something was not directly expressed, but understood.

understood

Focuses on the common knowledge or agreement about something without explicit statement.

tacit

Emphasizes that the understanding is unspoken and mutually agreed upon.

FAQs

How can I use "implied" in a sentence?

The word "implied" is used to indicate that something is suggested or understood without being directly stated. For example, "Her silence implied consent" means that although she didn't explicitly say yes, her silence suggested agreement.

What's the difference between "implied" and "inferred"?

"Implied" refers to what a speaker or writer suggests indirectly. "Inferred", on the other hand, is what the audience understands or concludes based on the information presented. A speaker implies, and a listener infers.

What are some alternatives to "implied"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "suggested", "hinted", or "indicated" as alternatives to "implied".

Is it correct to say 'the meaning was implied'?

Yes, it is correct. The passive voice "was implied" indicates that the meaning was suggested indirectly, rather than stated explicitly. You could also say, "The speaker implied a different meaning."