Verbs of Verbal Action - Verbs for Implying and Mentioning

Here you will learn some English verbs referring to implying and mentioning such as "hint", "signal", and "refer to".

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Verbs of Verbal Action

to convey something without explicitly stating it

Ex: The professor 's choice of words suggested a deeper meaning beyond the surface level of the text .
to imply [verb]

to suggest without explicitly stating

Ex: The politician 's vague statement implied support for the controversial policy .
to hint [verb]

to indirectly suggest something

Ex: The author skillfully hinted at the plot twist throughout the novel , keeping readers engaged until the surprising conclusion .

to suggest something in an indirect manner

Ex: Instead of openly expressing dissatisfaction , he insinuated his disappointment by making sarcastic comments about the team 's performance .

to implicitly convey something such as an idea, feeling, etc. in addition to something's basic meaning

Ex: His choice of formal language in the email connotes professionalism and seriousness .

to indirectly state something

Ex: The speaker intimated his intentions for the future without explicitly stating them .

to give someone a message, instruction, etc. by making a sound or movement

Ex: The traffic officer signaled drivers to stop or proceed using hand signals .

to convey something indirectly

Ex: His silence during the meeting implicated his disagreement with the proposed changes .

to reach an understanding of something through questioning, investigation, or analysis

Ex: To solve the puzzle , you need to get at the hidden clues .

to mention something without directly talking about it in detail

Ex: In his speech , the professor alluded to a famous quote to emphasize the importance of education .

to say something about someone or something, without giving much detail

Ex: Can you mention where you found that interesting article ?

to briefly mention a subject in written or spoken discussion

Ex: The news report touched on the recent developments in technology .

to mention or discuss someone or something

Ex: In the book , the author frequently refers to the protagonist 's inner struggles .

to introduce a subject for discussion, especially a sensitive or challenging matter

Ex: The teacher skillfully broached the subject of diversity to encourage open dialogue in the classroom .
to moot [verb]

to bring up a topic or question for discussion

Ex: The committee mooted the possibility of introducing new policies to address environmental concerns in the company .
to quote [verb]

to use a specific statement, source, etc. as evidence or an example

Ex: The student quoted a historical document to support his argument about the cultural significance of a particular event .
to cite [verb]

to refer to something as an example or proof

Ex: The author cited literary works to demonstrate the evolution of the genre .
to posit [verb]

to propose or assume something as true or factual, serving as the foundation for further reasoning or argumentation

Ex: The physicist posited the existence of parallel universes to explain certain phenomena observed in quantum mechanics .

to propose an idea or theory for discussion

Ex: In the academic conference , the researcher advanced a groundbreaking theory that challenged existing notions in the field .