suggested indirectly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suggested indirectly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a suggestion that is not explicitly stated but implied through context or subtle hints. Example: "The author suggested indirectly that the protagonist's journey was a metaphor for personal growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Even Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested — indirectly — that she agreed with one of Mr. Sarrazin's points, when she said that multiculturalism was dead.

The New York Times

In 2009, President Obama offered one of the most tepid endorsements in recent memory when his spokesman suggested indirectly that the president was supporting the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York, William C. Thompson Jr., in his race against Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

The New York Times

The key role of coagulation abnormalities has been suggested indirectly in other studies, in which a benefit of carefully monitoring and treating coagulopathy in ECMO patients was found [19, 22].

Annals of Intensive Care

Activity measurements suggested indirectly that heterodimerization with PI5P4Kβ may alter the enzymatic activity of PI5P4Kα [ 21].

Biochemical Journal

The organ-unspecific feature of AtPP2-A1 expression and function is also suggested indirectly by investigating the transgenic plant uidAETAt1.

BMC Plant Biology

A key role for myosin IIA in cancer cell metastasis has been further suggested, indirectly, by a number of published studies focusing on the small calcium-binding protein, metastasin-1.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Despite being so far away, the Voyager probes compiled a photographic record suggesting — indirectly — that Europa might be warmer below its icy surface.

The New Yorker

Nevertheless, changes in systemic vascular resistance were not significantly correlated with changes in ∆PCO2 nor with changes in ScvO2, which suggests, indirectly, a minimal participation of this mechanism to the increase in ∆PCO2.

Annals of Intensive Care

Correct responding on the CRT predicts performance on a range of tasks in which intuitive processes lead to incorrect responses, suggesting indirectly that CRT performance is related to cognitive control.

Cognition

Font et al. (2015) show that in Spain, real wages of newly hired workers and temporary workers are more sensitive to the business cycle, suggesting indirectly that changes in workers' composition can affect the dynamics of aggregate wages and its reaction to unemployment.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Schlieren and phase contrast measurements show the radial propagation of a shock wave during the pre-pulse discharge and suggest indirectly the evidence of the on axis gas density depression, that is believed to be <110 of the original gas fill pressure.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suggested indirectly", ensure the context provides enough clues for the reader to grasp the implied meaning. The effectiveness of this phrase relies on the audience's ability to infer the suggestion.

Common error

Avoid using "suggested indirectly" when the implication is too subtle or lacks sufficient contextual support. Overly subtle suggestions can lead to confusion and misinterpretation; if the implication is lost on your audience, consider being more direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suggested indirectly" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the manner in which something was suggested. It modifies a verb, specifying that the suggestion was not made explicitly. Ludwig's examples illustrate this use in various contexts, from political commentary to scientific research.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suggested indirectly" denotes a non-explicit form of suggestion, relying on implication and context. Analysis indicates that while grammatically sound, it's more common in scientific and news-related writing. According to Ludwig, context is crucial: be clear enough that your audience infers the intended meaning. When clarity is paramount, directness may be preferable. Consider alternatives like "implied subtly" or "hinted vaguely" to refine your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implied subtly

This alternative emphasizes the understated nature of the suggestion.

intimated implicitly

This option stresses the unspoken nature of the suggestion.

indicated obliquely

This emphasizes the angled or roundabout way the suggestion was made.

hinted vaguely

This phrase highlights the lack of clarity in the suggestion.

insinuated discreetly

Highlights the tactful or cautious way the suggestion was conveyed.

alluded obscurely

This alternative underscores the indirectness and potential difficulty in understanding the suggestion.

inferred tacitly

This phrase focuses on the unspoken understanding of the suggestion.

implied by implication

Repetitive, emphasizes that the suggestion comes from inference.

dropped a hint

This option uses a more informal, idiomatic expression.

left unsaid

Highlights that the suggestion was not explicitly stated, but rather understood.

FAQs

How can I use "suggested indirectly" in a sentence?

You can use "suggested indirectly" to describe a situation where an idea or opinion is conveyed in a subtle or non-explicit manner. For example, "The data "suggested indirectly" that there was a correlation between the two variables".

What are some alternatives to "suggested indirectly"?

Alternatives include "implied subtly", "hinted vaguely", or "intimated implicitly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to be direct or to "suggest indirectly"?

The choice depends on the context and your audience. Direct communication is clearer, but indirect suggestions can be more tactful or persuasive in certain situations. Consider your goal and the potential impact on your audience.

What does it mean when something is "suggested indirectly"?

When something is "suggested indirectly", it means the idea or opinion is not explicitly stated but is implied through subtle cues, context, or hints. The receiver needs to infer the intended meaning.