implication
B2Formal, Academic, Business
Definition
Meaning
A possible future effect or result of an action or decision; something that is suggested without being said directly.
1. The fact or state of being involved in something, or of having a connection to it (often negative). 2. (Logic) A relationship between two statements where the truth of the first (the antecedent) guarantees the truth of the second (the consequent).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used to discuss indirect consequences, especially negative ones, or the logical consequences of an argument. The plural 'implications' is more common than the singular when discussing practical consequences.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slight preference for 'implications' over 'implication' in business contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries a nuance of seriousness and consequence. In legal contexts, can imply culpability.
Frequency
Equally common in formal writing in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the implication (of X) for Yan implication that...to have implicationswith the implication that...by implicationVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “by implication (indirectly suggested)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to discuss the potential financial, strategic, or market consequences of a decision. 'We must assess the tax implications of the merger.'
Academic
Common in logic, philosophy, and research to denote a logical relationship or the inferred consequences of findings. 'The study's findings have important implications for public policy.'
Everyday
Often used to discuss the indirect meaning or consequence of someone's words or actions. 'He didn't say it, but the implication was that I was to blame.'
Technical
In logic and computing, a formal relationship between propositions (P implies Q). 'The material implication is a truth-functional connective.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The evidence seems to implicate several senior executives.
- His remarks were taken to implicate the government in the scandal.
American English
- The report implicates the company in the data breach.
- Her silence should not be construed as implicating her.
adverb
British English
- She nodded implicatively, letting us draw our own conclusions.
- (Rare, 'implicatively' is highly formal/archaic).
American English
- He spoke implicatively, never making a direct accusation.
- (Rare, 'implicatively' is highly formal/archaic).
adjective
British English
- The speech was highly implicative of future policy changes.
- (Rare usage, 'implicative' is very formal).
American English
- Their questions were clearly implicative, suggesting prior knowledge.
- (Rare usage, 'implicative' is very formal).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher did not like the implication that her class was boring.
- What is the implication of this rule for our project?
- The implication of his words was that he would not help us.
- Changing the design has cost implications.
- The report examined the wider social implications of the new law.
- By implication, the article criticised the government's entire strategy.
- The logical implication of the premises is inescapable, yet politically unpalatable.
- The treaty's implications for national sovereignty were hotly debated by constitutional scholars.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'IMPLICATION' as something 'folded in' (from Latin *implicare* = to enfold). The meaning is folded into the situation, not stated openly.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING IS SEEING (e.g., 'I see the implication'), CAUSES ARE FORCES (the implications 'ripple out' from an event).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating as 'импликация' in everyday contexts; it's a logical term. Use 'последствие', 'следствие', or 'подтекст' depending on the meaning.
- Do not confuse with 'application' (применение).
- The plural 'implications' often translates best as 'последствия'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'implication' to mean 'application' (e.g., 'the implication of the rule' instead of 'the application of the rule').
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'meaning' or 'purpose'.
- Overusing the singular where the plural 'implications' is more natural (e.g., 'What is the implication?' vs. 'What are the implications?').
Practice
Quiz
In a logical argument, an 'implication' is best described as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but often used in contexts discussing potential problems, risks, or indirect accusations, which can give it a negative leaning. 'Positive implications' is a correct but less frequent collocation.
A 'consequence' is a direct result. An 'implication' is an *indirect* consequence or a suggested meaning that is not explicitly stated. Consequences are often clearer and more immediate than implications.
'By implication' is a fixed phrase meaning 'in a way that is not directly stated but can be inferred'. Example: 'He praised her predecessor, criticising her by implication.'
No, the noun 'implication' comes from the verb 'implicate', which means to show someone is involved in something bad, or to have as a consequence.
Collections
Part of a collection
Abstract Thinking
B2 · 49 words · Words for ideas, reasoning and intellectual concepts.
Academic Vocabulary
C1 · 36 words · Formal academic language used in scholarly writing.
Critical Thinking
C1 · 49 words · Vocabulary for structured logical reasoning and analysis.
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