implies to

USAGE SUMMARY

"implies to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are making something suggest something else without explicitly stating it. For example, "His expression implies to me that he's keeping a secret."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ms. Meyers wants, as her title implies, to complicate that formula.

The New York Times

To ask what they mean is to misunderstand them — and, he implies, to miss their beauty.

The New Yorker

"But a boat implies, to us, a destination," something the Lord never provided Noah.

The New Yorker

You're my best friend, Montaigne, like every subsequent essayist of his type, implies to his readers.

The New Yorker

And yet a show like "Homeland" constantly implies to viewers the need for such agencies.

The New Yorker

A lot of what the U.S. is doing implies to people that this is your real motivation.

The New Yorker

It implies (to me at least) an anxiety on the performer's part about the art form's inherent falsity and smugness.

The Guardian

That implies to me that portfolio managers are wildly optimistic, which by itself is a reason to be cautious".

The New York Times

Camp Mom, offered in June and again in October by Camp GetAway, also replicates summer camp, but caters, as the name implies, to mothers.

The New York Times - Travel

But the real drama erupts after a student who is assigned to create a Beldy implies to a friend that she had an affair with the teacher.

The New York Times

"Miss implies to me that I am not competent, not confident, not fully capable of doing my own thing," she said.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "implies to"; instead, use "implies" or "suggests" for grammatical correctness and clarity. This simple change will enhance the professionalism and credibility of your writing.

Common error

The phrase "implies to" often arises from a misunderstanding of how the verb "imply" functions. It's a transitive verb that directly takes an object, so adding "to" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect. Always double-check for superfluous prepositions to maintain concise and accurate writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "implies to" is intended as a verb phrase with a preposition, but it is grammatically incorrect. The verb "imply" directly takes an object, making the preposition "to" redundant. Ludwig confirms that "implies to" is incorrect.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "implies to" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is simply "implies". It is intended to suggest something indirectly, but adding "to" is unnecessary and detracts from clarity and professionalism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's best to avoid this phrase in favor of more accurate alternatives such as "implies", "suggests", or "indicates". This will ensure your writing remains clear, concise, and grammatically sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implies

This alternative is a direct correction, removing the unnecessary preposition "to" for grammatical accuracy.

suggests

This alternative omits the preposition "to", making it grammatically correct and more concise.

indicates

Similar to "implies", this verb directly conveys a suggestion without needing "to".

signals

This alternative is good when the suggestion comes in the form of a clear sign.

points to

This phrase adds a sense of direction or focus to the suggestion.

conveys

This phrase expresses the action of communicating an idea or impression indirectly.

hints at

This alternative conveys a more subtle or indirect suggestion.

alludes to

This phrase implies a more indirect or veiled reference.

leads one to believe

This option indicates a suggestion that influences someone's belief.

intimates

This option is a more formal and less common synonym for "suggests".

FAQs

How do I properly use "imply" in a sentence?

Use "imply" directly followed by the object or clause it affects. For example, "His silence implies agreement."

Is there a difference between "imply" and "infer"?

"Imply" means to suggest something indirectly, while "infer" means to draw a conclusion from evidence. The speaker implies, and the listener infers.

What can I say instead of "implies to"?

Use "implies" or consider alternatives like "suggests", "indicates", or "hints at".

Which is correct: "implies to" or "implies"?

"Implies" is the correct and grammatically sound choice. "Implies to" is considered incorrect. You can also consider to replace it with alternatives such as "indicates" or "suggests".