implying

USAGE SUMMARY

"implying" is a word that can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express something implicitly (i.e. without stating it directly). For example: "He said he was too busy to help, implying that he didn't want to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A 2013 paper by Professor Mark Regenus implying deficiencies in same-sex parents was championed by conservative organisations worldwide, despite being academically savaged.

The Guardian

I therefore apologise to Palmer for implying that his interpretation of what happened had been wide of the mark.

The Guardian

On top of that, growth in the emerging world disappointed, implying less demand for European exports".

The Guardian - Business

Sir Richard Dalton, a former British ambassador to Tehran, said: "She's implying that, if Iran became a nuclear weapon state, then the US would develop their existing defence commitments and that the US would contemplate nuclear deterrence to protect Persian Gulf states".

The Guardian

But Sturgeon appeared to soften the SNP's recently very hardline position on opposing Trident's renewal by implying again that no explicit promise was needed from Labour to win SNP backing on other topics.

The Guardian

At Sainsbury's the ratio is 7% after Wednesday's fall in the share price, implying only marginally less confidence.

The Guardian - Business

Pinter, who has had huge success as a screenwriter says that, "words are his (miller's) weapon", implying that words alone are not enough in Hollywood.

The Guardian

By contrast, it is precisely judgmental and pejorative to shatter the global legal consensus by implying that east Jerusalem is not occupied and belongs to Israel.

The Guardian - Opinion

Was Mischel implying self-control somehow increased intelligence?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

#PMQs For Cameron And here are two journalists implying David Cameron did better.

The Guardian

The use of inverted commas around the phrase "foetal alcohol syndrome" almost implies Simon Jenkins is sceptical about this condition, perhaps implying an invention of fee-hungry lawyers?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes the implied meaning clear to the reader. Ambiguity can weaken your message if the implication is not easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "implying" when you mean "inferring". The speaker or writer implies, while the listener or reader infers. For example, a speaker is "implying" a message, and the audience is "inferring" the meaning of the message.

Linguistic Context

Implying functions as a present participle or gerund, often used to describe an action that suggests something without explicitly stating it. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, as demonstrated in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "implying" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb form that suggests something indirectly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears commonly in news, business, and scientific contexts, indicating its versatility. When writing, remember to use "implying" when you want to hint at something rather than stating it directly, and be mindful of the difference between "implying" and "inferring". Alternatives include "suggesting" and "indicating". By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "implying" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggesting

Focuses more on hinting or proposing something without explicitly stating it, slightly less forceful than "implying".

indicating

Highlights the role of being a sign or signal of something, emphasizing the evidence provided.

hinting at

Emphasizes a subtle and indirect suggestion, often with a degree of coyness or secrecy.

alluding to

Involves making a passing or indirect reference to something, often something well-known.

connoting

Stresses the associated or secondary meaning of a word or expression, rather than its literal meaning.

intimating

Implies a delicate or subtle way of making something known, often something sensitive or private.

signifying

Focuses on the act of being a symbol or representation of something else.

insinuating

Suggests something unpleasant or dubious in an indirect way, often with a negative connotation.

meaning

A more direct and general way of stating that something has a particular significance or consequence.

pointing towards

Emphasizes direction or tendency, suggesting that something indicates a likely outcome or conclusion.

FAQs

How is "implying" used in a sentence?

"Implying" is used to indicate that something is suggested or understood without being directly stated. For example: "He avoided eye contact, implying he was lying."

What's a good substitute for "implying"?

Alternatives to "implying" include "suggesting", "indicating", or "hinting at". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "implying" and "inferring"?

"Implying" means to suggest something indirectly, while "inferring" means to draw a conclusion based on evidence. The speaker implies, and the listener infers.

Can "implying" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "implying" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to convey a subtle or indirect message. Ensure that the implication is clear and supported by the context.