suggests indirectly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suggests indirectly" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to indicate that something is implied rather than stated outright. For example, "The author suggests indirectly that the character is unhappy." Alternative expressions include "implies subtly," "hints at," and "indicates indirectly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

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

By the same token, this narrative suggests indirectly that President Obama has a different more "exotic" faith, which leads millions of people to believe -- quite erroneously -- that he is foreign or even a Muslim who is a pawn of a theocratic Islamic conspiracy.

Huffington Post

A 2003 review of epidemiological studies of children found autism prevalence rates ranging from 0.03 to 4.84 per 1,000, with the ratio of autism to Asperger syndrome ranging from 1.5 1 to 16:1; combining the geometric mean ratio of 5 1 with a conservative prevalence estimate for autism of 1.3 per 1,000 suggests indirectly that the prevalence of AS might be around 0.26 per 1,000.

Wikipedia

Furthermore, inhibition of cell protease activity by angiostatic steroids [17] suggests, indirectly, that glucocorticoids inhibit EC migration (since extra-cellular matrix (ECM) degradation is required for cell motility in vivo).

Plosone

Furthermore, this result suggests indirectly that IFNα treatment does not induce global changes in microRNA gene expression, but it modulates rather the expression of individual genes.

Biological Procedures Online

However in analyses adjusted for all available predictors, being in the intervention group was still associated with better outcomes, which suggests indirectly that the children with VND shared some of the benefits of intervention.

British Journal of Ophthalmology

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

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suggests indirectly" when you want to imply something subtly without making a direct statement. This is useful when presenting nuanced arguments or interpreting complex data.

Common error

Avoid using "suggests indirectly" when directness is needed. Overusing this phrase can make your writing seem evasive or unclear, particularly in situations requiring straightforward communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suggests indirectly" functions as a hedge or qualifier, softening a claim. As confirmed by Ludwig, it implies a conclusion without direct assertion. It is often used when presenting interpretations or inferences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suggests indirectly" serves as a nuanced way to imply information rather than stating it explicitly. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, particularly in science and news. While uncommon, its use adds a layer of subtlety to writing. The best practice is to employ it when subtlety is required, avoiding overuse in situations demanding directness. Alternative phrases like "implies subtly" or "hints at" offer similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicates implicitly

Changes 'suggests' to 'indicates', highlighting the implied nature of the indication.

implies subtly

This alternative focuses on the subtle nature of the implication.

alludes to

Focuses on making an indirect reference to something.

hints at

This option suggests a more gentle and less direct form of indication.

intimates

This alternative is a more formal synonym for 'suggests'.

leads one to believe

Highlights the suggestive power to influence belief.

points to

This alternative emphasizes the direction of the suggestion.

leaves the impression

Shifts the focus to the receiver's perception of the suggestion.

infers

This term focuses on drawing a conclusion from evidence, differing slightly from a direct suggestion.

gives the idea

This option is a more conversational and less formal alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "suggests indirectly" to imply something without stating it explicitly. For example, "The data "suggests indirectly" that there is a correlation between the two variables."

What are some alternatives to "suggests indirectly"?

Some alternatives include "implies subtly", "hints at", and "indicates implicitly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "suggests indirectly"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey information in a subtle way or when you're presenting an interpretation that is not definitively proven. Avoid using it if you need to be direct and clear.

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

"Suggests indirectly" implies something without explicitly saying it, while "states directly" makes an explicit and unambiguous assertion. The former is subtle; the latter is overt.