The Washington Post | September 12, 2022
"New workplace guidelines make clear the company's commitment to diversity, moving beyond implicit policies of the past."
Implicit vs. Explicit
The '30 Seconds' Difference At A Glance
Implicit means something that is suggested or understood without being directly stated. Explicit means something that is clearly and directly expressed, leaving no room for doubt.
The movie has implicit themes of redemption throughout the story, while making an explicit statement about climate change in its final scene.
A Deeper Look
'Implicit' means something that's hinted at or suggested - you have to work it out from the context or "read between the lines".
His raised eyebrow was an implicit warning that I should stop talking.
The job advert made it implicit that they wanted someone young by mentioning "recent graduates" and "digital natives".
'Explicit' means something that's stated clearly and directly - there's no room for doubt about what's meant.
The teacher gave explicit instructions: "Write your name at the top of every page."
The warning was explicit: "Trespassers will be prosecuted."
Common Usage Patterns
Implicit
"Implicit understanding", "implicit bias", "implicit trust", "implicit agreement", "implicit meaning"
Explicit
"Explicit instructions", "explicit content", "explicit permission", "explicit warning", "explicit statement"
Key Patterns
Implicit often pairs with words about understanding, meaning, and social concepts. Explicit frequently appears with words about communication, content, and directions.
What Teachers Say
"I tell my students to think of 'explicit' as 'explained clearly' - they both start with 'ex'. Implicit is what's 'inside' the message - they both start with 'im'."
-- Maria, Toronto
"In academic writing, it's usually better to be explicit about your main arguments, while literary analysis often deals with implicit meanings."
-- David, Sydney
"When teaching business English, I emphasise that cultural differences are often implicit, while business terms should be explicit."
-- Yuki, Tokyo
From The Headlines
The Guardian | March 3, 2020
"Research reveals bias remains a challenge in hiring practices, despite explicit anti-discrimination policies."
The Times | June 15, 2018
"Social media platforms now require explicit consent for data sharing, rather than relying on presumed user agreement."
Test Yourself!
1. The contract includes a(n) _______ statement that payment must be made within 30 days.
2. The novel's themes of love and loss are _______, never directly stated but conveyed through symbolism and metaphor.
3. While the job posting makes _______ mentions of technical requirements, the need for soft skills remains _______ in the description of team dynamics.
