What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
indicate
Example
The dark clouds indicate that it might rain soon. [indicate: verb]
Example
His tone of voice indicated that he was not happy with the situation. [indicated: past tense]
imply
Example
She didn't say it directly, but her words implied that she was not interested. [implied: past tense]
Example
The article implies that there may be more to the story than what was reported. [implies: present tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Indicate is more commonly used than imply in everyday language, especially in formal contexts such as academic writing, legal documents, or technical reports. Imply is more commonly used in informal contexts such as conversations, social media, or creative writing.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between indicate and imply?
Indicate is generally considered more formal than imply, which is more casual and conversational. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context and audience.
