Understanding the Difference Between Explicit and Implicit

Although the words ‘explicit’ and ‘implicit’ have similar meanings, the words are not interchangeable. The two words even sound quite a bit alike, but it isn’t too hard to understand the difference or to tell which one can be used in a particular sentence.

Quite often, the wrong word is used and this can turn a sentence into a chaotic group of words, rather than to lend meaning to the sentence.

Using “explicit”

The word ‘explicit’ has been in use since the 1600s. Its root meaning is to express or to explain. Thus, an explicit statement shouldn’t leave much doubt in anyone’s mind as to the meaning of the statement.

Here is an example of an explicit statement: If you don’t water your garden, the plants will die.

Here is a similar statement that actually uses the word: The explicit result of not watering your garden is the death of the plants.

Notice that in both cases, there is no doubt about what will happen if you don’t water the plants. (The statement isn’t true 100% of the time, but an explicit statement doesn’t necessarily have to be true.)

Key in on the words used above to define the word explicit; expressed or explained. Keep these other words in mind because I’m going to show you a very easy way to remember when you should use ‘explicit’ and when you should use ‘implicit’.

Using the word ‘implicit’

‘Implicit’ is about a century older than ‘explicit’. The root of this word is imply or implication. An implicit statement is one that doesn’t necessarily express or explain, but which simply implies something.

“The neighbor’s garden would probably be healthier if they watered it” is an implicit statement. The statement doesn’t actually say that the neighbor’s aren’t watering their garden. Rather, it is implied that they don’t water the garden or don’t water it enough.

Here is a sentence that actually uses the word:

“I told my brother that the neighbor’s garden would be healthier if they watered it and my meaning was implicit.”

Sometimes a statement can be both explicit and implicit at the same time. “The neighbor’s garden would probably be healthier if they watered it” is an example. It is explicit in as much as it explains how the neighbor could make their garden healthier. It is implicit by implying that a garden needs more water to be healthy and that it isn’t healthy in the first place.

Easy way to tell the difference

All this said, there is a very easy way to tell which word should be used. Remember the mention of the roots? As it happens, that is exactly how these two words are spelled, beginning with the same letters used in the roots.

EXPlicit = to EXPress or EXPlain

IMPlicit = to IMPly or IMPlication

If you are going to use one word or the other, all you have to do is decide if you are expressing something or just implying something. The proper word to use is then clear. Okay, so the last statement just made is both explicit and implicit.