"It means that" vs "It implies that"

Question

"It means that" vs "It implies that"

Both "it implies that" and "it means that" are correct phrases in English, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "It implies that" is used when something suggests or hints at a certain meaning without directly stating it, while "it means that" is used to directly state the meaning or significance of something.

Last Updated: March 21, 2024

Use "it means that" when you want to explicitly state the meaning or significance of something without any ambiguity.

Examples:

His absence means that he won't be able to attend the meeting.
The red light means that you need to stop.
Her smile means that she is happy.

Alternatives:

it signifies that
it indicates that
it denotes that
it represents that
it stands for

Use "it implies that" when you want to convey that something indirectly suggests or hints at a particular meaning or interpretation.

Examples:

His silence implies that he doesn't agree with the decision.
The tone of her voice implies that she is not happy with the situation.
The choice of words implies that there may be a hidden agenda.

Alternatives:

it suggests that
it hints that
it indicates that
it conveys that
it insinuates that

Answer 1

It means that

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to directly state the meaning or significance of something.

Answer 2

It implies that

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something suggests or hints at a certain meaning without directly stating it.

"It means that" vs "It implies that"

It means that

It implies that

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