imply they

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "imply they" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to suggest that something indicates or suggests a certain conclusion about a group of people, but it lacks context and clarity. Example: "The findings of the study seem to imply they are more effective than previously thought."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If their stock fell lower, it would imply they are having a tough time making money.

The New York Times

If they refuse to do so that itself would imply they had something to hide.

The Guardian

Does the suggestion that looters were obeying instinct imply they were less blameworthy?

The Guardian

Just don't imply they might be off their game after a weeklong layoff.

The New York Times

But this did not imply they would accept his asylum application.

The Guardian

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

The Guardian - Opinion

But the relatively small differences between February and March imply they might have slowed their downward trend.

The Guardian

Suspicions that the country would never elect a black President weren't racist, he would imply, they were cynical.

The New Yorker

As their names imply, they are commonly found in mutated forms in some women with breast cancer.

Britannica

They imply they would recognise Israel once territorial and other deeply contentious issues are settled.But that vexed question remains.

The Economist

That means their wages haven't even grown as much as their working hours would imply they should.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to say that something suggests a particular conclusion about a group, it's more grammatically sound to use phrases like "suggest that they", "indicate that they", or "imply that they do".

Common error

Ensure that the phrase "imply" is followed by a complete clause. Saying "imply they" without a clear subject or verb creates an incomplete sentence that lacks clarity. Always clarify what is being implied and by whom.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "imply they" functions as an incomplete verb phrase, often intended to introduce a clause expressing a suggested conclusion. However, it lacks grammatical completeness. This is reinforced by Ludwig AI, which points out the lack of context and clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "imply they" is frequently encountered across various sources, including news, media, and scientific articles, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase lacks clarity and context and is best avoided in formal writing. Grammatically sound alternatives include "suggest that they", "indicate that they", or restructuring the sentence to include a more complete clause after "imply". Although the phrase is common, especially in news and media, it's best to opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives to ensure precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggest they

Replaces "imply" with "suggest", providing a gentler nuance.

indicate they

Uses "indicate" instead of "imply", offering a more direct sense of pointing something out.

insinuate they

Replaces "imply" with "insinuate", suggesting a more subtle or indirect communication.

hint they

Uses "hint" instead of "imply", making the suggestion even less direct.

seem to imply they

Adds "seem to" to soften the assertion and indicate an appearance rather than a definitive statement.

lead one to believe they

This phrase is longer and more descriptive, indicating a persuasive effect.

give the impression they

Focuses on the impression created, rather than the direct act of implying.

signal that they

Uses "signal" to suggest a clear but non-verbal communication.

intimate that they

Replaces "imply" with "intimate", suggesting a private or subtle communication.

convey the idea they

Focuses on the conveyance of an idea, making the communication more conceptual.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "imply" in a sentence?

Ensure that "imply" is followed by a complete clause, like "imply that they do". For example, "The findings of the study "imply that they do" have a statistically significant effect".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "imply they"?

You can use phrases like "suggest they", "indicate they", or "insinuate they" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "imply they"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The verb "imply" needs a complete clause following it to be used correctly. For example, "imply that they believe" is grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "imply they" and "imply that they"?

The phrase "imply they" is grammatically incomplete. The correct usage is "imply that they", which introduces a subordinate clause specifying what is being implied.