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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
indirect
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The word "indirect" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that can be used to describe a way of speaking or acting which does not express or state something in a direct way. Example sentence: The professor's indirect comments made it difficult to understand what he was trying to say.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Opinion
Business
Alternative expressions(8)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
I want to make sure you can use it as an indirect letter of support for your project so you can go back to Walt [Secord, chief of staff for then-premier Kristina Keneally]." Earlier in the day, Liberal MP Marie Ficarra denied arranging for a property developer to give $5,000 to Eightbyfive to skirt electoral funding laws that prohibited political parties from accepting such donations.
News & Media
This indirect electoral maths suggests that Ukip's outsize influence on the national debate (relative to their parliamentary presence) could be set to continue as the major parties seek to fend off the threat in their key marginal constituencies.
News & Media
The social media company is also banning indirect threats of violence, and will introduce temporary suspensions for accounts that fall foul of its policies.
News & Media
The negative effects, on the other hand, were indirect and dissipated among the population at large.
News & Media
By owning your own property, you get a say in planning law too – your objection to that new tower block counts for far more than the indirect, dissipated unease of all the people hunting desperately for somewhere affordable in the vague vicinity of their work.
News & Media
While the New Zealand health system does not face as many financial challenges as some health systems in the northern hemisphere, it is on the brink of a demographically driven event that will do more indirect damage than the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes.
News & Media
He also sits on the board of Cooper hospital, which both received a grant and is the indirect beneficiary of two more – one to build housing for its students and the other to DioGenix, which the state authority said moved to Camden to work with Cooper.
News & Media
Public Health England said passengers on indirect flights from Liberia, Guinea or Sierra Leone – the three west African countries at the centre of the outbreak – would be automatically flagged at passport control.
News & Media
Parkinson said governments had to get serious about adjusting the tax mix, look at raising more revenue through indirect taxes such as the GST and grasp genuine reform of the federation.
News & Media
We're not making the decisions, and our losses are indirect and diffuse, whereas that view of a rolling field can be appreciated every day.
News & Media
The figure includes indirect costs such as housing, social care, education, and the financial impact when family members have to give up work to become carers.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "indirect" to describe effects, influences, or references that are not immediately obvious or directly stated. It is a good choice when emphasizing subtlety or a multi-step connection.
Common error
Avoid hyphenating "indirect" as "in-direct". The word is correctly spelled without a hyphen. Hyphenation is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The word "indirect" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a non-direct or roundabout relationship, connection, or effect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.
Frequent in
News & Media
35%
Opinion
20%
Formal & Business
15%
Less common in
Science
15%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The word "indirect" functions as an adjective, indicating that something is not direct or straightforward. It is grammatically correct and very commonly used in a variety of contexts, particularly in News & Media, Opinion, and Formal & Business settings. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While "indirect" is generally accepted, being mindful of common errors such as incorrect hyphenation will improve clarity. Alternatives like "implicit", "roundabout", and "oblique" can add nuance to your writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
implicit
Refers to something suggested though not directly expressed.
roundabout
Describes a way of speaking or acting that is not direct or straightforward.
oblique
Indicates something expressed in an indirect way.
implied
Suggests something without explicitly stating it.
inferred
Describes something deduced or concluded from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements.
secondary
Denotes something not of primary importance or not directly involved.
ancillary
Indicates something providing support or assistance.
consequential
Refers to something arising as a result of something else.
mediated
Indicates something achieved through an intermediary.
circumlocutory
Characterized by the use of many words where fewer would do, especially in a deliberate attempt to be vague or evasive.
FAQs
How do I use "indirect" in a sentence?
Use "indirect" to describe something that is not directly caused or expressed. For example, "The policy had an indirect impact on small businesses".
What's the difference between "indirect" and "implied"?
"Indirect" suggests a roundabout or non-obvious connection, while "implied" means suggested without being explicitly stated. An indirect consequence might not be intended, whereas something implied is intentionally hinted at.
What are some alternatives to using the word "indirect"?
Depending on the context, you can use words like "implicit", "roundabout", or "oblique" instead of "indirect".
Is it correct to use "indirectly" instead of "indirect"?
Yes, "indirectly" is the adverb form of "indirect". Use "indirect" as an adjective to describe a noun, and "indirectly" as an adverb to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested