indirectly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indirectly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is not done in a direct manner or when the effect or meaning is not straightforward. Example: "The author indirectly conveys the theme of loss through the protagonist's journey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Economists generally agree that the key to addressing climate change is to raise the cost of burning fossil fuels, either directly, through a carbon tax, or indirectly, through a cap-and-trade program.

The Economist

Syriza in Greece and Podemos in Spain have been inspired, directly or indirectly, by the Latin American experience.

The Guardian - Opinion

We all benefit if the system is just; directly if we are involved with the civil or criminal courts, and indirectly if our disparate society has confidence that a fair deal is possible through law.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was designed to strike at the very heart of democracy and the security of the state, and if successful, would have affected thousands personally, millions indirectly and ultimately the whole nation of the US and the UK".

The Guardian

The decision to pave the way for the possible supply of arms to Iraq means that the UK may once again bear responsibility – if only indirectly – for casualties in Iraq.

The Guardian

Armstrong said climate change had the potential to affect health directly through heatwaves and extreme weather, and indirectly through increases in the prevalence of certain diseases if, for example, public sanitation was compromised due to floods.

The Guardian

Last week Microsoft filed its appeal: "The power to embark on unilateral law enforcement incursions into a foreign sovereign country – directly or indirectly – has profound foreign policy consequences.

The Guardian - Tech

"I've always felt I've had the coach's backing," he told Marca, "but the message indirectly came through to me that I was no longer needed, I was frozen out and wouldn't have a chance to continue playing.

The Guardian - Sport

On Wednesday, Clinton raised the issue indirectly herself – with a laugh.

The Guardian

The decision of so many refugees to return home has been attributed to the success of the Burundian peace process, but the voluntary nature of these returns has been questioned by observers who accuse the government of deliberately eroding the remaining refugees' quality of life in order to indirectly force them to return.

The Guardian

The fact that it is used, even indirectly, to stir up fear of Muslims is utterly disgraceful.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indirectly", ensure the connection or causal link is clear to the reader, even if it is not immediately obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "indirectly" when the relationship between two things is actually direct and obvious. This can create unnecessary confusion.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "indirectly" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that an action, quality, or state is not achieved in a direct manner. Ludwig provides examples showing how it qualifies the nature of impact or influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indirectly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverb that describes actions or consequences not achieved in a direct way. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility across diverse contexts, mostly in news and business publications. Its meaning is often close to terms like "implicitly" or "by implication". When writing, use "indirectly" to add nuance to your statements but ensure that the connection you're making is clear to your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Implicitly

Suggests something is understood though not plainly expressed.

By implication

Suggests a meaning that is not explicitly stated but can be inferred.

Not in a straightforward manner

Highlights the lack of directness in the action or effect.

Through an intermediary

Emphasizes the role of a mediator or go-between.

Subtly

Conveys the idea that something is done in a delicate or understated way.

Remotely

Indicates a slight or distant connection or influence.

Collaterally

Indicates that something happens as a side effect.

Secondarily

Highlights that the effect or influence is not the primary one.

By way of

Signifies using a particular method or route.

Circumstantially

Implies reliance on circumstances rather than direct evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "indirectly" in a sentence?

You can use "indirectly" to show that something is not done in a direct way. For instance, "The policy change "indirectly affected" small businesses."

What's a good synonym for "indirectly"?

Depending on the context, alternatives for "indirectly" include "implicitly", "remotely", or "by implication".

What is the difference between "directly" and "indirectly"?

"Directly" means something happens in a straightforward manner without intervention, while "indirectly" means something happens through an intermediate step or influence.

Is it correct to say something was "indirectly responsible"?

Yes, it's correct. It means something had an influence on an outcome, but not in a primary or immediate way. For example, "His actions were "indirectly responsible" for the company's success."