Explicit vs. Implicit

Have you ever wondered about the differences between these two? Are they similar or are they opposites? Well then pal, let's fins out.

What Is Their Main Difference?

Both of these refer to how something is said. However, 'explicit' is used when something is said straightforwardly and is crystal clear. 'Implicit', on the other hand, is used when something has implications underneath and is not said directly. One has to read between the lines in order to fully grasp the concept.

Differences

As mentioned above, 'explicit' is used when we say something straightforwardly and it has no vague points. One can easily understand what we are trying to convey. Check out the following examples:

All employees should be provided with explicit instructions as to how they must carry out their tasks.

Everything must be done under the supervisor's explicit consent.

'Implicit', however, refers to something that is said indirectly. In other words, the listener has to read between the lines to be able to distinguish what the actual concept is. Take a look at the following examples:

Many writers convey meanings in their texts implicitly.

In the past, when someone went quiet when asked to give their opinion was an implicit way of agreeing with others.

Similarities

Both of them refer to how we say something. Examine the following examples:

The manager explicitly declared that she will no loner reply to inappropriate questions.

Poems are not suitable for people who do not understand that the poet conveys the meaning implicitly.

Are They Interchangeable?

Despite the fact that they both refer to how we state something, they are mostly considered to be antonyms and they are never used interchangeably. Compare:

✓ An implicit way to convey the meaning in a literary work is to use symbolism.

X An explicit way to convey the meaning in a literary work is to use symbolism.

Here, the sentence makes no sense because 'explicit meaning' does not need symbolism.

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