it was implicit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was implicit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was suggested or understood without being directly stated. Example: "Although he never said it outright, it was implicit that he expected everyone to contribute to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

But it was implicit.

The New York Times

"It was not an explicit deal but it was implicit".

The New York Times

It was implicit in the beginning, in the grain.

The New Yorker

"But as we looked into it, we discovered that it was implicit, not explicit".

The New York Times

It was implicit in the work of my teacher, [French professor] Nadia Boulanger.

The Guardian

Yet it was implicit for all his predecessors too – and the same will be true for his successors.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

I totally think it's implicit.

The Guardian - Music

It is not spelled out, it's implicit.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's implicit because that's how everyone is operating".

The New York Times

And it is implicit in the theme of the show.

The New York Times - Arts

It is implicit that if Mr. Bush is elected, the dictums would become law.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was implicit" when you want to highlight that an understanding or message was communicated indirectly, without being explicitly stated. This is particularly useful in describing subtle social cues, unspoken agreements, or underlying assumptions.

Common error

Avoid using "it was implicit" when the implication is unclear or requires significant inference. If the audience cannot easily grasp the implied meaning, it's better to be explicit for clarity. Overusing this phrase in vague contexts can make your writing seem evasive or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was implicit" functions as a clause element, typically used to describe an understanding or communication that occurred indirectly, without explicit statement. Ludwig AI examples confirm this usage, showing how the phrase introduces subtle but clear implications within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was implicit" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something was understood or suggested without being explicitly stated. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears frequently in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While versatile, writers should ensure the implied meaning is clear to the audience. Alternatives such as "it was understood" or "it was implied" can be used for variety. Avoiding overuse and ensuring clarity will enhance the effectiveness of this phrase in conveying subtle understandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was understood

This alternative replaces "implicit" with "understood", indicating a mutual agreement or comprehension that didn't need to be verbalized.

it was implied

Using "implied" focuses on the suggestion made without direct expression, closely mirroring the meaning of "implicit".

it was tacit

"Tacit" suggests a silent understanding or agreement, highlighting the unspoken nature of the communication.

it was suggested

This alternative emphasizes that the idea was presented in a subtle or indirect way.

it was hinted

"Hinted" implies an even more subtle suggestion, where the idea is only lightly touched upon.

it was insinuated

"Insinuated" suggests a delicate and sometimes subtle way of implying something, often with negative undertones.

it was a given

This indicates that something was assumed or taken for granted without needing explicit confirmation.

it went without saying

This phrase emphasizes that something was so obvious that it didn't need to be stated directly.

it was a foregone conclusion

This alternative implies that the outcome was predictable or inevitable, making explicit statements unnecessary.

it was unspoken

This highlights the lack of direct communication, focusing on the idea being understood without words.

FAQs

How can I use "it was implicit" in a sentence?

Use "it was implicit" to indicate that something was suggested or understood without being directly expressed. For example, "Although he never said it outright, "it was implicit" that he expected everyone to contribute to the project".

What can I say instead of "it was implicit"?

You can use alternatives like "it was understood", "it was implied", or "it was unspoken" depending on the context.

Is "it was implicit" formal or informal?

"It was implicit" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the overall tone and subject matter than the setting.

What's the difference between "it was implicit" and "it was explicit"?

"It was implicit" means something was suggested or understood indirectly, while "it was explicit" means something was stated directly and clearly.