What is indirectly? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "indirectly" in English. It's a versatile word that essentially means "not directly" or "through a means other than the obvious." Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. As an Adverb (Most Common Usage):

• Meaning: Describes how something happens or is done – not in a straightforward way.
• Structure: adverb + verb
• Examples:
  • "He lost his job indirectly because of the company’s poor management." (His job loss wasn’t because of him directly, but because of the management.)
  • "The rain indirectly caused the flooding." (The rain didn’t cause the flooding directly; it contributed to it through a process like saturated ground.)
  • "She indirectly criticized his outfit by saying she liked the color." (She didn't directly say she disliked it; she expressed a preference for the color instead.)
  • "The new regulations will indirectly affect small businesses." (The regulations won't have a direct impact, but they will have an effect that impacts small businesses.)

2. As a Past Participle (Used with "by"):

• Meaning: Describes how something was done or affected. This is often used in passive voice constructions.
• Structure: subject + verb + indirectly + by + agent/cause
• Examples:
  • "The mistake was made indirectly by carelessness." (The mistake wasn't caused directly by someone being malicious; it was a result of careless behavior.)
  • "The damage was indirectly caused by the earthquake." (The earthquake didn’t directly cause the damage, but it was a contributing factor.)
  • "The policy is indirectly funded by taxes." (Taxes aren't the direct source of the funding, but they support it.)

3. Describing Consequences or Effects:

• Meaning: To show that something has an effect that isn't immediately apparent.
• Examples:
  • "The new law will indirectly lead to a decrease in crime." (It's not a direct result, but a consequence of the law.)
  • “The economic downturn indirectly affected the housing market.” (The market was affected, but not because of a direct policy change - it was a result of the broader economic issue.)

Key Differences & Synonyms:

• Directly: Means "in a straightforward manner.” The opposite of "indirectly."
• Subtly: Suggests a delicate or understated way of influencing or affecting.
• Tangentially: Suggests a loose or related connection, without a strong causal link.
• Subsequently: Follows as a result of something.
• As a result: Similar to subsequently, indicating a consequence.

Tips for Using "Indirectly":

• Think about the chain of events: When you use "indirectly," you’re showing a connection that isn’t immediately obvious. Ask yourself: “Is there a step or factor in between the cause and the effect?”
• Be clear about the relationship: Make sure your sentence clearly explains how the indirect effect is happening. Don’t just use the word; provide context.

To help me give you the most useful information, could you tell me:

• What are you trying to do with the word "indirectly"? (e.g., Are you writing a paragraph, studying for a test, or just trying to understand how to use it better?)
• Can you give me an example sentence you’re struggling with?