imply
/im'plai/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To suggest or indicate something indirectly, without stating it explicitly: To express something in an indirect way, allowing the listener or reader to understand the intended meaning without direct words.
- To have as a necessary consequence or logical condition: To involve or entail something as a necessary part or inevitable result.
- To suggest that someone is guilty or responsible for something: To hint at or indicate someone's involvement in a negative action without directly accusing them.
Usage and Examples
To suggest indirectly:
- His tone implied that he was not satisfied with the results. (The way he spoke suggested his dissatisfaction without him saying it directly.)
- Are you implying that I made a mistake? (Are you suggesting indirectly that I am at fault?)
To have as a necessary feature or consequence:
- Rights imply responsibilities. (Having rights logically involves having corresponding duties.)
- The design implies a high level of expertise. (The design necessarily requires or indicates great skill.)
To suggest guilt:
- The evidence implies his involvement in the scheme. (The evidence indirectly suggests he was part of the plan.)
Advanced Usage
- In logic: To have as a logically necessary consequence. If a statement (A) implies another statement (B), then if A is true, B must also be true.
- "All humans are mortal" implies that "Socrates is mortal" if Socrates is human.
- To state indirectly: To communicate something by what is not said, or through context, rather than through direct statement.
- She didn't say no, but her hesitation implied a lack of enthusiasm.
Variants and Related Words
- Implication (noun): The conclusion that can be drawn from something, although it is not explicitly stated.
- The implication of his statement was clear.
- Implied (adjective): Suggested without being directly expressed.
- There was an implied threat in his words.
Synonyms
- Suggest: To put forward for consideration.
- Insinuate: To suggest or hint (something bad) in an indirect and unpleasant way.
- Entail: To involve (something) as a necessary or inevitable part or consequence.
- Involve: To have or include (something) as a necessary part.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- By implication: As a result of something that is suggested but not stated directly.
- He criticized the plan and, by implication, the manager who proposed it.
Verb
- have as a necessary feature
- This decision involves many changes
- suggest that someone is guilty
- have as a logical consequence
- The water shortage means that we have to stop taking long showers
- suggest as a logically necessary consequence; in logic
- express or state indirectly