Meaning & use
implication
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Meanings
nounusually plural
A possible effect or result of an action or decision, especially one that is not obvious at first.
Grammar: Often implications for or of: the implications for schools.
Patterns
- implications for something
- the implications of something
The study has serious implications for public health.
We need to consider the implications of moving the office.
The new tax has wider implications for small firms.
nouncountable or uncountable
Something suggested but not stated directly.
Grammar: Often by implication or the implication is that.
Patterns
- by implication
- the implication that something
The implication was that she had lied.
He didn't say it directly, but the implication was clear.
By implication, the whole team shares the blame.
noununcountableformal
The fact of being involved in a crime or wrongdoing.
Grammar: Formal; used with in: implication in a scandal.
Patterns
- implication in something
His implication in the fraud shocked colleagues.
She denied any implication in the plot.
The report pointed to the officer's implication in the cover-up.
Word forms
| plural | implications |
|---|
Common combinations
- far-reaching implications
- The ruling has far-reaching implications.
- by implication
- By implication, the rule applies to everyone.
- serious implications
- A data leak has serious implications.
- implications for
- What are the implications for staff?
- the implication is that
- The implication is that prices will rise.
- legal implications
- There are legal implications to consider.
Synonyms and how they differ
- consequence
- Consequence is what follows from an act, while implication can also be a hidden message.
- suggestion
- Suggestion is something said openly, whereas implication is left unstated.
- ramification
- Ramification suggests complicated, branching results, and is more formal.
- insinuation
- Insinuation is a sly, usually negative hint, which implication need not be.
Word family
- imply verb
- to suggest something without saying it
- implicit adjective
- suggested but not directly stated
- implicate verb
- to show that someone is involved in something bad
- implicitly adverb
- in a way that is understood without being said
Commonly confused: implication or inference? implication or application?
implication vs inference
An inference is a conclusion the listener draws, while an implication is what the speaker hints.
implication vs application
Application means a request or a use, and sounds similar but is unrelated in meaning.
Practice
She never said he was lying, but the ___ was obvious.
Choose one answer.
An implication is something suggested without being said. An inference is drawn by the listener, so it does not fit with the speaker's act.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “implication”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.