implied question

USAGE SUMMARY

"implied question" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use it to refer to a question that is suggested or implied by a statement, without the speaker saying it explicitly. For example, "I wonder if you could help me" is an implied question, because the speaker is suggesting that assistance might be provided without explicitly asking for it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Why is the implied question.

The New Yorker

The implied question also returns: Do any of us really speak for ourselves?

The New York Times

Blake's implied question is how could one God have created both creatures, the one benign, the other ferocious?

The Guardian

It seemed that this duality reflected the appearance several times of an implied question and answer from one line to another.

Independent

(1) is a relevance implicature: the speaker implicates an answer to an expressed or implied question by stating something related to it by implication or explanation.

SEP

The paper begins in Part I with at least a part of the answer to "Why did I become an engineer and a professor?" Growing up in a family unfamiliar with higher education, neither the implied question about attending college nor the answer were obvious.

Advances in Heat Transfer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

In typical avant-garde fashion, the novel weaves a rhetorical landscape in a tale that frequently seems to offer little more than implied questions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although this article was written in a Q&A format, the implied questioner asked no question.

Huffington Post

As for whether those are genuinely philosophical questions and problems, it is implicit in what has already been said that he would not acknowledge such a category as the 'genuinely philosophical' if that is meant to imply questions which are different in kind from those of science.

SEP

The outer layer of the model represents the external environment and implies questions about the ultimate purpose of all such systems, and their potential for global integration (see Hancock 2009).

Ergonomics

"I don't think it works that way," Goldberg said after a long pause that implied my questions were weird.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "implied question", ensure the context clearly suggests the unstated question to avoid ambiguity. The surrounding statements should naturally lead the reader to infer the question.

Common error

Avoid using "implied question" when the context doesn't adequately hint at the question. A weakly implied question can confuse readers, making your writing less effective. Always provide sufficient clues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "implied question" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As shown in Ludwig, it describes a question that is suggested but not directly expressed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "implied question" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to a question suggested but not directly stated. As Ludwig highlights, it appears most commonly in News & Media and Science contexts. To ensure clarity, make sure that the surrounding text provides enough context for the reader to infer the unstated question accurately. While alternatives like "implicit question" or "unspoken question" exist, "implied question" remains a direct and effective way to describe a question that is understood without being explicitly voiced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tacit question

Replaces 'implied' with 'tacit', suggesting a question understood without being openly expressed.

unspoken question

Substitutes 'implied' with 'unspoken', emphasizing that the question is not verbally articulated.

implicit question

Uses 'implicit' instead of 'implied', conveying a question that is suggested though not directly expressed.

suggested question

Emphasizes that the question is hinted at or indicated indirectly.

underlying question

Focuses on the question that forms the foundation or basis of something.

presupposed question

Highlights that the question is assumed beforehand or taken for granted.

connoted question

Indicates that the question is suggested by association or implication.

inferred question

Suggests that the question is derived as a logical consequence from the given information.

hinted question

Replaces 'implied' with 'hinted', indicating a subtle or indirect suggestion of a question.

alluded question

Emphasizes that the question is referred to indirectly or by suggestion.

FAQs

How can I identify an "implied question" in a text?

An "implied question" is not directly stated but is suggested by the context. Look for statements that create a sense of inquiry or uncertainty, prompting the reader to consider a specific question. The surrounding text provides clues to what that question might be.

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

An "implied question" is unstated but suggested, whereas a rhetorical question is asked for effect and doesn't require an answer. A rhetorical question is directly posed, while an "implied question" remains unvoiced.

When is it appropriate to use an "implied question" in writing?

Use an "implied question" to engage the reader and encourage active thinking. It can create suspense or subtly introduce a topic without explicitly stating it. This is effective when you want the reader to arrive at a conclusion independently.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "implied question"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "implicit question", "unspoken question", or "tacit question". These phrases all convey the idea of a question that is understood without being explicitly stated.