Imply — C1 Vocabulary
To suggest or hint at something without saying it directly. The speaker or writer does the implying.
Quick Answer
Imply means to hint at something without saying it directly. The speaker implies. Think: to imply is to send a hidden message.
Example: Her silence seemed to imply that she disagreed.
Imply in 3 Sentences
Read these three sentences. Notice how imply is used:
- Her silence seemed to imply that she disagreed. (hinted, without saying it)
- I didn’t mean to imply that you were wrong. (suggest indirectly)
- The report implies that costs will rise. (suggests, without stating outright)
A Quick Tip About IMPLY
Imply and infer are opposites, not synonyms. The speaker implies (sends the hint). The listener infers (picks it up). Using “infer” when you mean “imply” is one of the most common C1 mistakes.
Using “infer” when you mean “imply”
✗ Are you inferring that I’m lazy?
✓ Are you implying that I’m lazy?
Easy way to remember: to imPly is to Put a hint out there. The speaker imPlies.
Practice all Imply vs Infer
Now practise imply together with the other words in this topic. Use Study, Practice, Flashcards, and Review.
Imply vs Infer
Master imply and infer — the C1 pair that even native speakers mix up. The speaker implies; the listener infers.
Study Cards
Read the word, look at the picture, and say the example sentence.
Quick Practice
Choose the word that completes the sentence.
1 of 2
Loading question
Flashcards
Look at the picture first, then tap the card to check the word.
Spaced Review
Review cards today, then let the queue bring them back later.
Test Yourself: Imply
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. Are you ______ that I made a mistake?
2. Which word means “to hint at something without saying it”?
3. The manager’s email seemed to ______ that layoffs were coming.
4. Who does the implying?
5. I didn’t mean to ______ that your work was poor.
Other Imply vs Infer to Learn
Pick another word from this lesson — small steps add up fast.
Keep Going — One Word, Many Wins
You just learned imply — one half of a pair that even native speakers get wrong. From now on, you will know exactly who is doing the hinting.
But what about the other half? When you pick up a hint and work out the hidden meaning yourself, that has its own word — and it is the exact opposite of imply. Do you know it?
Next lesson: Infer — C1 Vocabulary
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