What is imply? Pronunciation and usage in English

imply means . Learn how to pronounce and use imply through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of imply

implyverb

/ɪmˈplʌɪ/
Definition & pronunciation of imply

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "imply." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound:

  • "im" - This is pronounced like the "im" in "him" or "swim." It's a short, quick "im" sound.
  • "ply" - This is the trickiest part. It's pronounced like "play" but with a slightly more emphasized "lay" sound. Think of it as “play” but with a strong “ay” vowel.

2. Putting it Together:

So, combining those sounds, you get: im-PLAY

3. Stress:

The stress is on the second syllable: im-PLAY (pronounced like "im-PLAY")

Here’s a breakdown of common errors and how to fix them:

  • Don't say "im-PLOY": This is a very common mistake. The "oy" sound doesn't belong in this word.
  • Don't over-emphasize the "i": Keep the "im" short and quick.
  • Don't pronounce it like "im-plee": This is completely wrong.

Resources to Help You:

To help me tailor my explanation even further, would you like me to:

  • Give you some example sentences where "imply" is used?
  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly for you?

Usage and examples with the word imply in English

Let's break down how to use the word "imply" correctly! It's a tricky word that's often confused with "infer." Here's a comprehensive guide:

1. Definition:

  • To imply means to suggest something indirectly, without stating it explicitly. It's about hinting at a meaning or idea. Think of it as letting something suggest itself.

2. Key Differences from "Infer":

This is the most common source of confusion. Here's how they relate:

  • Imply (verb): The speaker/writer is doing the suggesting. They are conveying a meaning indirectly.
  • Infer (verb): The listener/reader is drawing a conclusion based on the implied meaning.

3. How to Use "Imply":

Here are examples to illustrate different ways to use "imply":

  • Direct Implication: "His silence implied disapproval." (He didn’t say he disapproved, but his silence suggested it.)
  • Subtle Implication: "She wore a black dress to the wedding – it implied she wasn't happy to be there." (The dress isn't literally saying she's unhappy, but it’s a suggestion of that feeling.)
  • Implying a Cause: "The broken window implied that someone had broken in." (The broken window suggests an intruder.)
  • Implying a Future Action: "He sighed and said, 'I imply I'm tired.'" (The sigh suggests he is tired, and his statement reinforces this implication.)
  • In Writing: "The author implied a dark and ominous mood through the use of shadowy descriptions." (The author suggested this mood, rather than stating it directly.)

4. Phrases You'll Often See with "Imply":

  • "It implies that..." - “It implies that the company is facing financial difficulties.”
  • "He/She implied a threat." - “He implied a threat when he said, 'You’d better be careful.'"
  • "The data implies..." - “The data implies a strong correlation between exercise and improved health.”

5. Common Mistakes:

  • Using "imply" when you mean "infer." (Remember, you infer, the speaker implies.) Example: Incorrect: "I imply that you're wrong." Correct: "I infer that you’re wrong."
  • Saying "He implied it was raining" when it wasn't raining. This is a misuse – he suggested it was raining (perhaps through a comment about dark clouds), but he didn’t actually make it rain.

6. Resources for More Practice:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you struggling with the difference between “imply” and “infer”?
  • Can you give me a sentence where you’re unsure about using “imply”?

Synonyms for the word imply

Practice with vocabulary imply

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The latest economic indicators ______ that a recession might be on the horizon.
  2. During the negotiation, her refusal to make eye contact seemed to ______ a lack of confidence.
  3. The research findings clearly ______ a strong link between regular exercise and improved mental health.
  4. Based on the subtle changes in his behavior, she started to ______ that he was not entirely truthful.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following actions involves suggesting something subtly or indirectly, without explicitly stating it? a) Asserting a fact b) Stating an opinion c) Implying a message d) Declaring a truth e) Hinting at a possibility

  2. When a researcher observes a trend in data that strongly points towards a particular outcome but doesn't definitively prove it, they might say the data ______ that outcome. a) confirms b) implies c) establishes d) indicates e) proves

  3. His reluctance to elaborate on the details of the project could ______ that there are unresolved issues. a) specify b) clarify c) infer d) imply e) explain

  4. From her consistent avoidance of the topic, I began to ______ that she had personal reservations about the proposal. a) proclaim b) infer c) declare d) deduce e) articulate

  5. The use of the color red in the company's logo is intended to ______ passion and energy. a) denote b) signify c) evoke d) define e) connote

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: Although the email didn't state it directly, the tone and phrasing strongly suggested a shift in company policy. Rewrite using "imply" or a related word form:

  2. Original: His silence when asked about the budget overruns allowed us to deduce that he was aware of the problem. Rewrite using "imply" or a related word form:

  3. Original: From the subtle clues in the witness's testimony, the jury concluded that the defendant was not telling the whole truth. Rewrite without using "imply" or related word forms:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. imply
  2. imply
  3. indicate
  4. infer

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) Implying a message, e) Hinting at a possibility
  2. b) implies, d) indicates
  3. d) imply
  4. b) infer, d) deduce
  5. b) signify, c) evoke, e) connote

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The email's tone and phrasing implied a shift in company policy, even though it wasn't explicitly stated.
  2. His silence regarding the budget overruns carried the implication that he was aware of the problem.
  3. From the subtle clues in the witness's testimony, the jury inferred that the defendant was not telling the whole truth.

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