TransWikia.com

Where one thing implies another

English Language & Usage Asked on January 28, 2021

I want a phrase where you can say that one thing implies another, one thing existing implies the existence of the other (implies in the non-mathematical sense)

Well, arrogance ______ insecurity

This person may be arrogant because of insecurities.

Paranoia _______ cowardice

Because someone is paranoid, they are probably a coward.

What phrase may be able to be used here?

The relationship doesn’t have to be causal, I think the phrase I want can also be used in:

Strength _____ failure.

Because strength cannot exist without the precipitating failures.

Rejected similar:

  • go hand in hand (too assured, not cheeky enough)

I think there may actually just be a single word for this, like "betrays", but actually correct and idiomatic.

4 Answers

Entails is one possibility for the verb, but it is formal:

entail [tr.v.]

To have, impose, or require as a necessary accompaniment or consequence:

  • The investment entailed a high risk.

[AHD]

entail

To entail is to [necessarily] involve. A job at a movie theater might entail sweeping popcorn off the floor, probably because

  • watching a movie entails eating popcorn in the dark.

[Vocabulary.com]

...............

Another even more formal term for the strict mathematical sense of imply (A → B; if A is true, so is B) is predicate:

predicate – (logic) what is predicated of the subject of a proposition; the second term in a proposition is predicated of the first term by means of the copula:

  • `Socrates is a man' predicates manhood of Socrates.

[WordNet 3.0]

..............

However, possibly the most idiomatic way to say this sort of thing in less formal registers is:

  • 'Arrogance is synonymous with insecurity.'
  • 'Strength is synonymous with failure.' etc.

If you say that one thing is synonymous with another, you mean that the two things are very closely associated with each other so that one suggests the other or one cannot exist without the other.

[CollinsCoBuild]

  • 'Capitalism is synonymous with greed.'

[PoetChristopher] (obviously voicing an opinion)

This is obviously a stretched definition of 'synonymous'.

Answered by Edwin Ashworth on January 28, 2021

I'm a fan of beget, however that might be more in the sense of the first item creating the second and thus not exactly what you're going for.

Beget : (transitive verb) to produce especially as an effect or outgrowth [Source: M-W Dictionary]

Alternatively, the phrase 'Coincides with' might do the trick.

Answered by Veskah on January 28, 2021

I think the verb "TO DERIVE" is a good fit for your examples.

According to merriam-webster, it means:

  1. to take, receive, or obtain especially from a specified source
  2. to have or take origin
  3. come as a derivative

It is a synonym to INFER, DEDUCE, which are both good options too.

An example:

The novel's appeal derives entirely from the complexity of its characters.

Your examples:

Arrogance derives from insecurity

Paranoia derives from cowardice

Strength derives from failure.

Answered by user352103 on January 28, 2021

A few words and phrases come to mind.

  • Arrogance stems from insecurity. (a cause/effect relatioship)
  • Arrogance and insecurity usually go together. (not necessarily cause/effect)
  • Arrogance is usually attached to insecurity. (neutral)
  • Arrogance dwells in insecurity.
  • Arrogance lies in insecurity.

As for the "strength/failure" example, I can't see how you could have them related, unless you admit that "stength prevents failure.

Answered by Centaurus on January 28, 2021

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question

Get help from others!

© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP