imply

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "imply" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is suggested without being explicitly stated. For example: "His invitation to the party implies that he wants me to go."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So by saying I hope people will think carefully, you imply the second.

The Guardian

Recent revisions to budget forecasts imply that the U.S. government no longer needs additional revenues to control its deficits.

The Guardian

To imply that Susan Sarandon, who has dedicated much of her life to human-rights activism, objects to the feminist label because she is "right-wing" is disingenuous.

The Guardian - Opinion

Predictions of 20%-30 20%-30ompliance imply they will have ample opportunity to denounce a shambles.

The Guardian - Opinion

The identity of the teams and the nature of the result seem to imply that Rangers had somehow come through an ordeal full of terror.

The Guardian - Sport

I've spent hours learning this lately, catapulted by search engines to the dank recesses of parenting forums that exist solely to imply I'm guilty of child abuse because I don't know the best sort of blanket to put in a pram yet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The legal term does not imply anything further about whether Israel's occupation is "legal" or "illegal", or good or bad.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Responding to a request for further information, chief financial officer Susan Panuccio says the company is incurring and paying substantial tax on its operations in Australia, noting the high categorisation 'does not imply that we are not paying the correct amount of tax'," Davidson wrote.

The Guardian

"This is not to imply that the violence was trivialised or glamorised or even condoned.

The Guardian

Towers imply civic leadership weak in the face of commercial pressure.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Australian Press Council ruled on Friday that the headline and other material on the front page "collectively imply that a high proportion of DSP recipients are 'slackers' and should not be receiving DSP".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "imply" when you want to suggest something indirectly rather than stating it explicitly. This is useful for maintaining tact or creating subtlety in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "imply" when you mean "infer". "Imply" means to suggest something, while "infer" means to deduce something. The speaker or writer implies, and the listener or reader infers.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "imply" is as a verb. It's used to indicate a suggestion or meaning without stating it explicitly. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where "imply" functions to subtly convey an idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "imply" is a versatile verb used to suggest something indirectly, without explicitly stating it. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and common in both written and spoken English. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. Related terms include "suggest", "indicate", and "insinuate", each offering a slightly different nuance. A key writing tip is to avoid confusing "imply" with "infer". Remember, the speaker or writer implies, while the listener or reader infers. The high frequency and diverse application of "imply" make it an important term for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggest

A more direct synonym, indicating a less subtle hint.

indicate

Focuses on pointing out something, often factual, rather than hinting.

insinuate

Suggests a negative or artful hint.

hint

A more delicate way of suggesting something without directly stating it.

allude to

Indirectly refers to something, often something well-known.

intimate

Conveys a subtle and private suggestion.

connote

Suggests a meaning beyond the literal or explicit.

signify

Emphasizes the representation or meaning of something.

entail

Focuses on what something necessarily involves or includes.

lead to believe

Phrases the suggestion as influencing someone's belief.

FAQs

How is "imply" used in a sentence?

The verb "imply" is used to suggest something indirectly rather than stating it explicitly. For example, "His silence seemed to "imply" disagreement."

What can I say instead of "imply"?

Depending on the context, you can use "suggest", "indicate", or "insinuate" as alternatives to "imply".

What's the difference between "imply" and "infer"?

"Imply" means to suggest something without saying it directly, while "infer" means to deduce something from evidence. The speaker implies, and the listener infers.

Is it correct to say "are you implying that...?"?

Yes, it is correct to say "are you implying that...?" This is a common way to ask someone if they are indirectly suggesting something, often when seeking clarification or challenging the suggestion.