tacitly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tacitly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is understood or implied without being stated openly. Example: "The agreement was tacitly accepted by all parties involved, even though no formal approval was given."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The internet has been rightly praised for democratizing access and for giving voice to the non-elite; newspapers, with their history of tacitly or overtly amplifying dominant voices, represent the establishment that the internet is breaking down.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the Conservatives get 10 more seats than Labour, but Labour has the bigger bloc overall, would the Tories retreat quietly into opposition allowing Miliband to head a minority government, tacitly sustained by the SNP?

The Guardian - Opinion

In February the two men are said to have cut a deal, with Rydzyk tacitly supporting PiS in the election in return for several Radio Maryja candidates, including Krupa, being given European parliament seats.

The Guardian

However, since all students – including those who write for themselves – are subject to the same assignments, deadlines and assessment criteria, it is unfair for universities to collude tacitly with ghostwriting.

The Guardian

Tacitly at least, European leaders have accepted that there will be a default, and the fight is now to make it an orderly one.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Trayvon Martin case is important not because it suggests that lots of people are actively racist, but because it shows that institutions and rules that fail to account for the fact that most people are tacitly prejudiced can ultimately strip those on the receiving end of that prejudice of their most basic rights.

The Economist

Mr Déby appears tacitly to support Mr Bashir's terror campaign.

The Economist

The World Trade Organisation would squeal if the government mounted a "Buy Korean" campaign; instead it tacitly encourages private groups to conduct "frugality" drives.

The Economist

It is one thing to note that The Economist dislikes their choice, quite another to argue tacitly that, like children, Venezuelan voters didn't even make one.

The Economist

That is the price people tacitly accept for the convenience of using popular web services free of charge.

The Economist

He has also put tariffs on softwood lumber, and has tacitly condoned the efforts of Congress to offer more protection to America's dying textile industry.Then came the farm bill, which two months ago overturned the market-based agricultural reforms that were bravely brought in in the 1990s.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tacitly" when you want to indicate agreement, acceptance, or understanding that is communicated non-verbally or implied through actions or silence, rather than explicitly stated.

Common error

Avoid using "tacitly" when there's been explicit verbal agreement or a formal written confirmation. "Tacitly" implies a subtle understanding without direct communication, not a formally documented decision.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "tacitly" modifies verbs to describe actions done in a silent or implied manner. It indicates how an action is performed, suggesting agreement or understanding without explicit verbalization. Ludwig indicates that it's usable in written english.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tacitly" is a useful adverb for expressing implied agreement or understanding, commonly found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It’s essential to differentiate "tacitly" from similar words such as "implicitly" or "silently", focusing on its specific connotation of unspoken consent through action or lack of objection. To improve your writing, use "tacitly" to convey subtle, non-verbal agreements and avoid using it when there's already been explicit communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implicitly

Emphasizes the implied nature of the agreement or understanding, focusing on the suggestion rather than the action.

by implication

Highlights that the understanding is derived as a logical consequence, rather than through direct communication.

by unspoken consent

Highlights the agreement that exists without any formal discussion or declaration.

silently

Focuses on the lack of verbal expression, emphasizing the absence of spoken words or formal acknowledgement.

without a word

Stresses the complete absence of any verbal communication, indicating a non-verbal agreement.

in effect

Implies the result or consequence is the same as if there was an explicit agreement, even without one.

by conduct

Focuses on actions and behaviors that indicate agreement or understanding, rather than verbal communication.

under the surface

Implies that the agreement or understanding is not openly visible, but exists subtly.

covertly

Suggests that the action or agreement is hidden or secret, possibly to avoid detection or disapproval.

virtually

Indicates that the agreement is practically the same as an explicit one, though not formally declared.

FAQs

How to use "tacitly" in a sentence?

Use "tacitly" to indicate that something is understood or implied without being openly expressed. For example, "The board "tacitly" approved the decision by not objecting to it".

What can I say instead of "tacitly"?

You can use alternatives like "implicitly", "silently", or "by implication" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "tacitly approved" or "explicitly approved"?

"Tacitly approved" implies approval without direct expression, while "explicitly approved" means approval was clearly stated. The correct choice depends on whether the approval was communicated directly or indirectly.

What's the difference between "tacitly" and "implicitly"?

While both suggest something unstated, "tacitly" often refers to unspoken agreement or consent inferred from actions or silence, whereas "implicitly" refers more broadly to something suggested or understood without being directly expressed.