Recognising Implicit Information

Some of the most challenging LNAT questions ask not about what the author says, but about what the author implies. Implicit information is meaning that is conveyed without being stated directly — it is what lies between the lines. Mastering this skill separates good LNAT candidates from excellent ones.

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What Is Implicit Information?

Explicit information is directly stated in the passage. You can point to specific words or sentences that express it.

Implicit information is not stated directly, but can be logically inferred from what is stated. The author conveys it through their choice of words, the structure of their argument, what they include, and what they leave out.

Type	Example Passage Statement	Information Conveyed
Explicit	"The government has cut funding for youth services by 30%."	Funding has been cut by 30% (directly stated)
Implicit	Same statement, followed by: "It is no surprise that youth crime has risen."	The author implies that the funding cut caused the rise in youth crime (not directly stated, but strongly implied)

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Types of Implicit Information

1. Implied Conclusions

The author presents evidence but does not explicitly state the conclusion, leaving the reader to draw it.

"Every previous attempt to reform the House of Lords has failed. The current government's proposal faces the same obstacles as its predecessors."

Implied conclusion: The current proposal is likely to fail too. The author does not say this directly, but it is the clear logical implication.

2. Unstated Assumptions

An assumption is a belief that the argument takes for granted — a premise that is not stated but must be true for the argument to work.

"Increasing the minimum wage will reduce poverty."

Unstated assumption: People in poverty are earning the minimum wage (or close to it). If most people in poverty are unemployed, the minimum wage is irrelevant to them.

3. Implied Attitudes

The author's attitude towards a subject is often conveyed through word choice rather than direct statement.

"The committee spent three years producing a report that, predictably, changed nothing."

Implied attitude: The author views the committee as ineffective and its work as a waste of time. This is conveyed through "predictably" and "changed nothing" — the author does not say "I think the committee was useless", but that is clearly their view.

4. Implied Comparisons

The author suggests one thing is better/worse than another without stating the comparison directly.

"While some countries have invested heavily in renewable energy, the UK continues to rely on fossil fuels."

Implied comparison: The UK is behind other countries in renewable energy investment. The author implies criticism of the UK's approach without directly stating it.

5. Implications of Omission

Sometimes what the author does not say is as significant as what they do say.

A passage about the benefits of university education that never mentions vocational training or apprenticeships.

Implication: The author may consider university education superior to other pathways — or at least does not view alternatives as worth discussing. This is an implication of omission.

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How to Identify Implicit Information

Strategy 1: Ask "What Must Be True?"

For the author's argument to work, what must they be assuming? What beliefs underpin their reasoning?

"The death penalty deters crime."

For this claim to be valid, it must be assumed that potential criminals are aware of the death penalty, consider its consequences before acting, and make rational cost-benefit calculations. These are unstated assumptions.

Strategy 2: Ask "What Is the Author Suggesting?"

Look beyond what is literally written. What is the author hinting at, nudging you towards, or implying through their choice of language?

What the Author Writes	What the Author Implies
"The so-called 'reform' has changed very little."	The reform was a reform in name only; it was inadequate
"Only time will tell whether this policy succeeds."	The author is sceptical about the policy's chances
"The government has, characteristically, chosen the cheapest option."	The government always prioritises cost over quality
"One might charitably describe the proposal as ambitious."	The proposal is unrealistic

Strategy 3: Look for Loaded Language

Words with strong connotations often carry implicit meaning:

Word Used	Neutral Alternative	Implicit Meaning
"Regime"	"Government"	The author views the government negatively
"Admitted"	"Stated"	The author implies guilt or reluctance
"Claimed"	"Said"	The author doubts the statement's truth
"Forced"	"Required"	The author implies coercion or unfairness
"Merely"	"Only"	The author views this as insufficient

Strategy 4: Consider What Follows Logically