What is Pragmatics and Implicature?
Pragmatics is the study of how context shapes meaning in language—it examines what speakers imply beyond their literal words. Implicature is the implied message, not directly stated but understood through context and shared knowledge.
Pragmatics is the language study of meaning in context; implicature is the suggested meaning beneath the literal words, inferred by listeners from context.
- 1↓Literal utterance'It's cold in here' (stated meaning)
- 2↓Listener's contextHearer knows speaker can't control temperature
- 3↓InferenceListener infers: speaker suggests closing the window
- 4ImplicatureImplied request = 'Please close the window'
Step-by-step worked examples
What does 'You're always late!' imply?
Literal: statement of fact (lateness) Context: frustration, repeated behavior Implicature: 'I'm annoyed and this affects me.'
'Can you pass the salt?' is literally asking ability, but what's implied?
Literal: question about capability Context: dinner table, salt is present Implicature: polite request to pass the salt (directive)
Flouting a maxim: 'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.'
Literal: impossibility of forcing a horse Context: discussing someone who won't learn Implicature: 'You can provide opportunity, but can't force results'
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.'You must be tired' said at 10 AM after someone yawns implies…
Q2.Grice's maxim of 'quantity' is broken when…
Q3.What makes 'Did you lock the door?' sometimes a directive?
Q4.Indirect requests are based on…
The full card deck, worked steps and AI-tutor support for “What is Pragmatics and Implicature?” are in Notek — study by hand before your exam.
Common mistakes
Pragmatics = grammar. — Correct: Pragmatics = meaning in context; grammar = word structure.
Implicature is always polite. — Correct: Implicature can be rude, sarcastic, or manipulative.
All listeners understand implicature the same way. — Correct: Cultural differences, context, and shared knowledge affect inference.
Literal meaning and implicature are the same. — Correct: Literal = stated; implicature = suggested and inferred.
FAQ
What is pragmatics definition?
Pragmatics is the study of how context, intention, and shared knowledge shape meaning in language communication.
What is implicature example?
'It's cold' said inside near a window implies 'Please close the window'—not literal, but inferred.
How do you recognize implicature?
Look for cases where what's said differs from what's meant—consider context, tone, and what the speaker likely wants.
Why is pragmatics important?
It explains how people communicate indirectly, politely, and efficiently—core to real-world language use.