C2 Grammar: Implicit Grammatical Meaning

C2 Grammar: Implicit Grammatical Meaning
ESL Structure Curriculum

ESL Grammar Course

C2: Mastery

An iceberg, with the small visible tip representing explicit meaning and the large underwater mass representing implicit meaning

Implicit Grammatical Meaning

Implicit meaning, or pragmatics, is about understanding what is not said directly. Grammatical choices, such as the tense, modals, or sentence structure, can carry subtle meanings, hints, and social cues that are not obvious from the literal words used. Mastery of this is the pinnacle of fluency.

Key Concepts

1. Understatement and Politeness: Using “softer” language to express criticism or make requests.

  • What is said: “You might want to double-check those figures.”
  • What is meant: “Those figures are wrong. Fix them.”

2. Tense Choice for Distancing: Using a past tense to create emotional or social distance, or to be more polite.

  • Example: “I was wondering if you could help me.” (More polite and less direct than “I wonder if you can help me.”)

3. Passive Voice for Formality or Evasion: Using the passive voice to sound more objective or to avoid assigning blame.

  • Example: “Mistakes were made.” (Avoids saying “We made mistakes.”)

What is the speaker really saying?

1. A manager says to an employee: “I was hoping we could finish this report by Friday.” What is the implicit meaning?

2. Someone tastes your cooking and says, “That’s an… interesting flavor.” What do they likely mean?

3. A politician says: “It has been decided that cuts will be necessary.” Why use the passive voice here?

4. Your friend asks if you like their new haircut. You reply, “It’s certainly very bold.” What is the most likely implicit meaning?

5. What is the most polite and indirect way to ask a stranger for a favor?