implied a question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "implied a question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a statement or remark that suggests or hints at a question without explicitly stating it. Example: "Her tone implied a question, even though she didn't ask one directly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

(You notice I haven't told you what the invention was yet? I implied a question, and didn't answer it. You're waiting. You're wondering, what did almost no one have in 1980 that almost everyone had in 1990? You're definitely going to read the next paragraph, aren't you? Thus the principle works in a micro sense, as well as in a macro one.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Page to page, paragraph to paragraph, line to line — even within single sentences — imply a question first, and then answer it second.

The New York Times

As novelists, we should ask or imply a question at the beginning of the story, and then we should delay the answer.

The New York Times

And for those of us who woke to the most awful news imaginable, they imply a question we should probably have been asking long before this happened: how do we even begin to put England – and Wales – the right way up?

The Guardian - Opinion

This implies a question we shall have to address: if universal access cannot assure equality in health status, because there are other important social determinants of population health and its distribution, then is universal access a requirement of justice after all?

SEP

Whether its power to grant tax exemptions as an incident to the exercise of powers specifically granted by the Constitution can ever, in any circumstances, extend beyond the constitutional immunity of federal agencies which courts have implied, is a question which need not now be determined.

Cornell University

They often have in their titles, or imply, a big question answered; or they have a flavour of self-help or how-to.

The Guardian - Books

The title of the National Rifle Association's monthly political magazine – America's First Freedom – implies a provocative question: Where would the freedoms of press, speech, and religion be without the bearing of arms that made such freedoms possible?

The New York Times

Of course, home schooling, we didn't have to get the mandatory immunization". Loudermilk, chairman of a science subcommittee, was responding to a question that implied a link between vaccines and autism.

HuffPost

The one-word question implied a hundred connotations, including but not limited to: "A Russian girl?

Huffington Post

Some women indicated that asking the questions implied a '… sense of caring…' (W5) on the part of the midwife/CFHN.

BMC Women's Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "implied a question" to suggest a subtle or indirect inquiry, where the question isn't directly stated but is understood from the context. This can add nuance and sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "implied a question" when you mean to say that a question was directly asked. "Implied" indicates subtlety; if the question was explicit, use verbs like "asked", "inquired", or "queried" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "implied a question" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a transitive verb ("implied") followed by a direct object ("a question"). Ludwig confirms this usage aligns with standard English grammar, denoting the indirect suggestion of a question.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "implied a question" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something suggested a question without directly posing it. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage across different contexts. While alternatives like "suggested a question" or "hinted at a question" exist, understanding the subtle nuance of "implied" is crucial for effective communication. The phrase is most commonly found in news media, scientific articles, and academic writing, reflecting its versatility across various registers. Remember to use "implied" when the question is not explicitly stated but subtly suggested.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggested a question

Uses the verb "suggested" instead of "implied", indicating a less direct form of questioning.

hinted at a question

Emphasizes the subtle and indirect nature of the question being conveyed.

raised a question implicitly

Highlights the unspoken nature of the question and uses "raised" instead of "implied".

inferred a question

Focuses on the listener's role in deducing the question from the context.

indicated a question

Uses "indicated" to show that the question was pointed to, but not explicitly stated.

gave rise to a question

Highlights that the statement or situation caused a question to emerge.

begged the question

Implies a question was unavoidable or obvious based on the preceding statement.

left a question unasked

Focuses on the absence of an explicit question, but with the implication that one exists.

posed a tacit question

Emphasizes the unspoken and subtle nature of the question.

carried an implicit question

Highlights the inherent presence of a question within the statement or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "implied a question" in a sentence?

You can use "implied a question" to describe a situation where a statement or action suggests a question without directly asking it. For example, "Her tone "implied a question" about my qualifications."

What's the difference between "implied a question" and "asked a question"?

"Asked a question" means a question was directly posed. "Implied a question" means the question was suggested indirectly, not explicitly stated. Think of it as the difference between openly asking versus hinting.

What can I say instead of "implied a question"?

You can use alternatives like "suggested a question", "hinted at a question", or "raised a question implicitly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "inferred a question" instead of "implied a question"?

While related, "imply" and "infer" have different subjects. The speaker/writer implies (suggests), and the listener/reader infers (deduces). So, a situation implies a question, and the audience infers that question.