imply
gb/ɪmplˈaɪ/ us/ɪmplˈaɪ/
B2
Anglais
~ 1800
Sens
0 sens
Verbe
B2
action
1
suggest indirectly
To say something in a way that makes people understand another meaning without using clear words.
Schéma d’usage :
to imply [that] [clause]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'imply' with 'infer'. 'Imply' is what the speaker does; 'infer' is what the listener does.
Synonymes
suggest (Suggest can be more general and does not always mean indirect communication.)
|
hint (Hint is often softer and more casual, and may involve small clues rather than full ideas.)
Antonymes
state (State means to say something clearly and directly.)
|
declare (Declare means to announce something openly and formally.)
Collocations
strongly imply
|seem to imply
|clearly imply
|implicitly imply
Thèmes
communication
|language
|thinking
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Her tone seemed to imply that she was upset.
- The report implies a connection between diet and health.
- Are you implying that I made a mistake?
- He didn’t say it directly, but he implied that he wanted to leave.
- The smile implied that he agreed with the plan.
Exemples pédagogiques
- She implied that she was tired.
- The teacher implied that the test would be hard.
- Are you implying that I am wrong?
- His words implied that he was not happy.
- The sign implies that parking is not allowed.
Verbe
C1
relation
2
involve as a consequence
To mean that something must be true or happen because of another fact.
Schéma d’usage :
to imply [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse this logical or necessary-result sense with the communication sense of 'imply'. Context should clarify which is intended.
Synonymes
entail (More formal, often used in legal or academic contexts.)
|
require (Stronger sense of necessity rather than logical connection.)
Antonymes
exclude (To make sure something is not included or involved.)
|
contradict (To be in conflict with something rather than involving it.)
Collocations
necessarily imply
|logically imply
|imply the existence
Thèmes
logic
|science
|law
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- This job will imply long hours and weekend work.
- High levels of pollution imply a threat to public health.
- The new law implies changes in existing regulations.
- A win here would imply qualification for the finals.
- Such behavior implies a lack of respect.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Being a doctor implies long study.
- Good health implies good food and rest.
- A new rule implies changes at work.
- This job implies working at night.
- Winning implies playing well.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
imply
API
GB/ɪmplˈaɪ/
US/ɪmplˈaɪ/
Syllabes et accentuation
im - ply (2 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ply)
Formes du mot
Verb
- Base: imply
- 3rd Person Singular: implies
- Present Participle: implying
- Past: implied
Famille de mots
Forms
implies
verb
implying
verb
implied
verb
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
explicit
adjective B2
explicitly
adverb B2
Expressions
are you implying that...?
1/ˈɑɹ jˈu ɪmplˈaɪɪŋ ðˈæt ‖/
fixed phrase
ask if suggesting indirectly
A question used when you think someone is saying something in an indirect way.
Exemples
- Are you implying that I’m lying?
- Are you implying that I should quit my job?
what are you implying?
1/wˈʌt ˈɑɹ jˈu ɪmplˈaɪɪŋ ‖/
fixed phrase
ask meaning of implication
A question used when you want someone to explain what they are suggesting without saying directly.
Exemples
- What are you implying by that comment?
- What are you implying when you say he’s ‘interesting’?