it was implied

USAGE SUMMARY

'it was implied' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something was understood or suggested, but not explicitly stated or specified. For example: "Although he never said it directly, it was implied that he wanted me to finish the project by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Without these, we would have got nowhere, it was implied.

The Guardian

It was implied that his mother would be brought before him and sexually abused.

The New Yorker

Marsh and Kroll, it was implied, might be a good corporate fit.

The New Yorker

Patten says it was implied in all the BBC's negotiations with them.

The Guardian

"It was implied, but he didn't really say anything," Ochsenshirt said.

The New York Times - Sports

In my non expert opinion, and as it was implied by the book, they are sweaty.

The Guardian

It was implied and, to be honest, I have no doubt anyone who watched me could tell I was gay.

The Guardian

"It was implied to me that this is something that should be kept very quiet," Walsh said of the taping.

The New York Times - Sports

That includes, it was implied, the recent hard-won health-reform package, which contained frustratingly little in terms of cost control.

The Economist

It should be effective when deploying military or other power overseas, but should do so sparingly and, it was implied, only for limited periods of time.

The Economist

Unfortunately, Mr Kohl was at a meeting of Europe's Christian Democratic leaders last month where it was implied that part of Turkey's unacceptability was being Muslim.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was implied" to indicate something suggested indirectly but not explicitly stated. This is useful when avoiding direct claims or attributing opinions.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid overusing "it was implied" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more direct and specific language to enhance clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was implied" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that something was suggested or understood without being directly stated. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to convey indirect communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was implied" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something was suggested or understood without being explicitly stated. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, including news, media, and scientific writing. While it is acceptable in most situations, be mindful of overusing it in highly formal writing. Consider alternatives such as "it was suggested" or "it was inferred" to add nuance. Mastering the use of "it was implied" helps refine your writing by allowing you to convey subtle meanings and attribute ideas indirectly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was suggested

Emphasizes a proposal or hint rather than a firm conclusion.

it was hinted

Highlights a subtle or indirect suggestion.

it was insinuated

Implies a more subtle and often negative suggestion.

it was understood

Focuses on a mutual agreement or tacit knowledge.

it was gathered

Highlights the collection of information leading to an inference.

it was inferred

Emphasizes the logical deduction made by the listener or reader.

the implication was

Rephrases to focus on the noun form of "imply".

the suggestion was

Shifts focus to the act of suggesting something.

one could assume

Highlights the possibility of making an assumption based on the information given.

it seemed to indicate

Focuses on the appearance or impression given.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was implied" to indicate that something was suggested indirectly but not explicitly stated, like in the sentence "Although she didn't say it directly, "it was implied" that she was unhappy with the decision."

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

You can use alternatives such as "it was suggested", "it was hinted", or "it was inferred" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "it was implied" or state something directly?

Whether to use "it was implied" or state something directly depends on the context. Use ""it was implied"" when you want to be less direct or when attributing a suggestion to someone else. Be direct when clarity is paramount.

What's the difference between "it was implied" and "it was stated"?

"It was implied" means something was suggested indirectly, while "it was stated" means something was said explicitly. "It was implied" leaves room for interpretation, whereas "it was stated" is a direct declaration.