what is implied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what is implied" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing underlying meanings or suggestions that are not explicitly stated. For example, "What is implied in her statement is that she is unhappy with the decision." Alternative expressions include "what is suggested" and "what is inferred."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

What is implied is that the waste problems in all three locations are similar.

The New York Times

What is implied in Ryan's story is that it was ultimately someone else who made the call.

The New York Times - Sports

A donor's interest in supporting you is exactly what is implied: favorable treatment, more considerations, some accountability".

The New Yorker

So go ahead a pin your date down on exactly what is implied by "let me get this one".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A. The thinking is partly true, but nowhere near the degree of what is implied in current stock prices.

The New York Times

Mike has a character!" Nichols reflects, "What is implied in that story — and it was true for the first time in my life — is affection.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

What was implied by each version of each statement?

The New York Times

Much of what was implied or left out of the budget is stated in astonishing detail here.

The Guardian

The important thing, he said at once, was not the polemics about the dates but what was implied by the contents of the manuscripts.

The New Yorker

What was implied but unstated in this response was that that's exactly the kind of thing a best friend is for.

The New York Times

It was more difficult to prepare Syria for self-government because of the difference between French and Syrian conceptions of what was implied.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what is implied" when you want to draw attention to an unspoken meaning or suggestion in a statement, situation, or piece of writing.

Common error

Avoid using "implied" when you mean "inferred". "Implied" refers to what the speaker or writer suggests, while "inferred" refers to what the listener or reader concludes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is implied" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces a concept or idea that is suggested indirectly rather than explicitly stated, as Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what is implied" is a versatile and commonly used expression that highlights the unspoken meaning within a communication. As Ludwig AI's analysis indicates, it functions grammatically as a noun phrase and serves the communicative purpose of prompting deeper interpretation. Its presence across diverse sources, including news media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, speaks to its broad applicability and neutral formality. When using this phrase, remember to focus on the suggested meaning and avoid confusion with "inferred", which represents the conclusion drawn by the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is suggested

Focuses on a hint or indication, making it slightly less forceful than "implied".

what is insinuated

Highlights a subtle or indirect suggestion, often with a negative connotation.

what is inferred

Emphasizes the act of drawing a conclusion based on available information.

what is meant indirectly

Highlights the indirection of the meaning.

the underlying message

Focuses on the implicit meaning beneath the surface.

the subtext

Refers to the implicit meaning behind the literal words.

what it hints at

Emphasizes the subtle nature of the suggestion.

what it alludes to

Highlights the indirect reference to something else.

what is tacitly understood

Stresses the unspoken agreement or understanding of something.

the unspoken assumption

Focuses on the underlying belief or presumption that is not explicitly stated.

FAQs

How to use "what is implied" in a sentence?

You can use "what is implied" to discuss meanings that are suggested but not explicitly stated. For example, "What is implied in her statement is a criticism of the current policy."

What can I say instead of "what is implied"?

You can use alternatives like "what is suggested", "what is insinuated", or "what is inferred" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "what is implied" and "what is inferred"?

"What is implied" refers to the suggestion made by a speaker or writer, while "what is inferred" is the conclusion drawn by the listener or reader. The speaker implies, the listener infers.

Is it formal to use "what is implied"?

The phrase "what is implied" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than on the phrase itself.