Convey vs. Express — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 2, 2024
Convey generally implies transmitting information or ideas indirectly or through a medium, while express focuses on direct, clear communication.
Difference Between Convey and Express
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Convey often involves transferring thoughts, feelings, or information through various indirect methods or symbols, while express directly articulates emotions, thoughts, or information explicitly and clearly. For instance, a glance might convey displeasure, whereas stating "I'm upset" expresses it explicitly.
Convey might utilize non-verbal cues, such as body language or art, to imply or suggest meanings, whereas express typically relies on verbal communication, either spoken or written, to state feelings or thoughts straightforwardly.
While conveying a message often requires interpretation or inference by the receiver, expressing ensures the message is understood as intended, minimizing the chances of miscommunication.
In literature, authors convey themes or morals through the narrative and character actions subtly, whereas they might express particular opinions or messages directly through a narrator or a character's dialogue.
In technology, data conveyed through encryption might mask the true message which needs decoding, whereas data expressed in plain text is immediately accessible and understandable.
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Comparison Chart
Communication Method
Indirect, using symbols or intermediaries
Direct, clear, and straightforward
Clarity
Often ambiguous, requiring interpretation
Explicit, leaving little to interpretation
Medium
Can be non-verbal, visual, or contextual
Usually verbal or written
Inference Required
Yes, the receiver must decode or infer meaning
No, the meaning is clearly stated
Common Usage
Art, literature, non-verbal cues
Speech, writing, direct dialogue
Compare with Definitions
Convey
To transport or carry to a place.
The pipes convey water to the tanks.
Express
To represent through artistic means.
The artist expresses deep emotions through his sculptures.
Convey
To transfer or deliver (information, property, etc.) to another.
The title to the property was conveyed by deed.
Express
To articulate or communicate one’s thoughts or emotions clearly.
She expressed her disappointment vividly.
Convey
To communicate or make known indirectly.
His silence conveyed his dissatisfaction.
Express
To squeeze out or force out.
She expressed the juice from the orange.
Convey
To lead or cause to pass from one place or person to another.
The guide conveyed us through the hall.
Express
To denote or signify.
His frown expressed his annoyance.
Convey
To serve as a medium for conveying.
The message was conveyed through an interpreter.
Express
To send by express delivery service.
He decided to express the documents to ensure they arrived on time.
Convey
To take or carry from one place to another; transport.
Express
To set forth in words; state
Express an opinion.
Convey
To serve as a medium of transmission for; transmit
Wires that convey electricity.
Express
To manifest or communicate, as by a gesture; show
Expressed his anger with a frown.
Convey
To communicate or make known; impart
"a look intended to convey sympathetic comprehension" (Saki).
Express
To make known the feelings or opinions of (oneself), as by statement or art.
Convey
(Law) To transfer ownership of or title to.
Express
To convey or suggest a representation of; depict
The painting expresses the rage of war victims.
Convey
(Archaic) To steal.
Express
To represent by a sign, symbol, number, or formula
Express a fraction as a decimal.
Convey
To move (something) from one place to another.
Air conveys sound. Water is conveyed through the pipe.
Express
To squeeze or press out, as juice from an orange.
Convey
(dated) To take or carry (someone) from one place to another.
Express
To send by special messenger or rapid transport
Express a package to Los Angeles.
Convey
To communicate; to make known; to portray.
To convey an impression; to convey information
Express
To synthesize (a product, especially a protein) encoded by a gene
A gene that expresses an enzyme.
Convey
(legal) To transfer legal rights (to).
He conveyed ownership of the company to his daughter.
Express
To manifest the effects of (a gene)
Half of the people who inherit the gene express it.
Convey
(obsolete) To manage with privacy; to carry out.
Express
To manifest (a genetic trait)
All the mice in the study expressed the defect.
Convey
(obsolete) To carry or take away secretly; to steal; to thieve.
Express
Definitely and explicitly stated
Their express wish.
Convey
To carry from one place to another; to bear or transport.
I will convey them by sea in floats.
Convey me to my bed, then to my grave.
Express
Particular; specific
An express plan.
Convey
To cause to pass from one place or person to another; to serve as a medium in carrying (anything) from one place or person to another; to transmit; as, air conveys sound; words convey ideas.
Express
Rapid and having few or no stops or interruptions
Express delivery of packages.
An express bus.
Convey
To transfer or deliver to another; to make over, as property; more strictly (Law), to transfer (real estate) or pass (a title to real estate) by a sealed writing.
The Earl of Desmond . . . secretly conveyed all his lands to feoffees in trust.
Express
Of, relating to, or appropriate for rapid travel
Express lanes on a freeway.
Convey
To impart or communicate; as, to convey an impression; to convey information.
Men fill one another's heads with noise and sound, but convey not thereby their thoughts.
Express
Designed for use in an express rifle
An express bullet.
Convey
To manage with privacy; to carry out.
I . . . will convey the business as I shall find means.
Express
By express delivery or transport.
Convey
To carry or take away secretly; to steal; to thieve.
Express
A rapid, efficient system for the delivery of goods and mail.
Convey
To accompany; to convoy.
Express
Goods and mail conveyed by such a system.
Convey
To play the thief; to steal.
But as I am Crack, I will convey, crossbite, and cheat upon Simplicius.
Express
A means of transport, such as a train, that travels rapidly and makes few or no stops before its destination.
Convey
Make known; pass on, of information
Express
A special messenger.
Convey
Serve as a means for expressing something;
The painting of Mary carries motherly love
His voice carried a lot af anger
Express
A message delivered by special courier.
Convey
Transfer to another;
Communicate a disease
Express
(not comparable) Moving or operating quickly, as a train not making local stops.
Convey
Transmit a title or property
Express
(comparable) Specific or precise; directly and distinctly stated; not merely implied.
I gave him express instructions not to begin until I arrived, but he ignored me.
This book cannot be copied without the express permission of the publisher.
Convey
Transmit or serve as the medium for transmission;
Sound carries well over water
The airwaves carry the sound
Many metals conduct heat
Express
Truly depicted; exactly resembling.
In my eyes it bore a livelier image of the spirit, it seemed more express and single, than the imperfect and divided countenance.
Convey
Take something or somebody with oneself somewhere;
Bring me the box from the other room
Take these letters to the boss
This brings me to the main point
Express
Providing a more limited but presumably faster service than a full or complete dealer of the same kind or type.
Pizza Hut Express
McDonald's Express
Convey
Go or come after and bring or take back;
Get me those books over there, please
Could you bring the wine?
The dog fetched the hat
Express
A mode of transportation, often a train, that travels quickly or directly.
I took the express into town.
Express
A service that allows mail or money to be sent rapidly from one destination to another.
Express
An express rifle.
Express
(obsolete) A clear image or representation; an expression; a plain declaration.
Express
A messenger sent on a special errand; a courier.
Express
An express office.
Express
That which is sent by an express messenger or message.
Express
(obsolete) The action of conveying some idea using words or actions; communication, expression.
Express
(obsolete) A specific statement or instruction.
Express
Moving or operating quickly, as a train not making local stops.
The train runs express to 96 St.
Express
(transitive) To convey or communicate; to make known or explicit.
Words cannot express the love I feel for him.
Express
(transitive) To press, squeeze out (especially said of milk).
Express
(biochemistry) To translate messenger RNA into protein.
Express
(biochemistry) To transcribe deoxyribonucleic acid into messenger RNA.
Express
Exactly representing; exact.
Their human countenanceThe express resemblance of the gods.
Express
Directly and distinctly stated; declared in terms; not implied or left to inference; made unambiguous by intention and care; clear; not dubious; as, express consent; an express statement.
I have express commandment.
Express
Of or pertaining to an express train or other conveyance designated an express{5}; makiung few or no intermediate stops; as, an express stop; an express fare; an express elevator.
Express
Intended for a particular purpose; relating to an express; sent on a particular errand; dispatched with special speed; as, an express messenger or train. Also used adverbially.
A messenger sent express from the other world.
Express
A clear image or representation; an expression; a plain declaration.
The only remanent express of Christ's sacrifice on earth.
Express
A messenger sent on a special errand; a courier; hence, a regular and fast conveyance; commonly, a company or system for the prompt and safe transportation of merchandise or parcels.
Express
An express office.
She charged him . . . to ask at the express if anything came up from town.
Express
That which is sent by an express messenger or message.
Express
A railway train or bus for transporting passengers or goods with speed and punctuality; a train or bus that does not stop at certain stations. Contrasted to local; as, take the express to get there faster.
Express
To press or squeeze out; as, to express the juice of grapes, or of apples; hence, to extort; to elicit.
All the fruits out of which drink is expressed.
And th'idle breath all utterly expressed.
Halters and racks can not express from theeMore than by deeds.
Express
To make or offer a representation of; to show by a copy or likeness; to represent; to resemble.
Each skillful artist shall express thy form.
So kids and whelps their sires and dams express.
Express
To give a true impression of; to represent and make known; to manifest plainly; to show in general; to exhibit, as an opinion or feeling, by a look, gesture, and esp. by language; to declare; to utter; to tell.
My words express my purpose.
They expressed in their lives those excellent doctrines of morality.
Express
To make known the opinions or feelings of; to declare what is in the mind of; to show (one's self); to cause to appear; - used reflexively.
Mr. Phillips did express with much indignation against me, one evening.
Express
To denote; to designate.
Moses and Aaron took these men, which are expressed by their names.
Express
To send by express messenger; to forward by special opportunity, or through the medium of an express; as, to express a package.
Express
To produce products that cause the appearance of the corresponding phenotype; - of a gene or of an organism with a specific gene; as, to express the beta-galactosidase gene,
Express
Rapid transport of goods
Express
Mail that is distributed by a rapid and efficient system
Express
Public transport consisting of a fast train or bus that makes a limited number of scheduled stops;
He caught the express to New York
Express
Give expression to;
She showed her disappointment
Express
Articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise;
She expressed her anger
He uttered a curse
Express
Indicate through a symbol, formula, etc.;
Can you express this distance in kilometers?
Express
Serve as a means for expressing something;
The painting of Mary carries motherly love
His voice carried a lot af anger
Express
Manifest the effects of (a gene or genetic trait);
Many of the laboratory animals express the trait
Express
Obtain from a substance, as by mechanical action;
Italians express coffee rather than filter it
Express
Send my rapid transport or special messenger service;
She expressed the letter to Florida
Express
Not tacit or implied;
Her express wish
Express
Without unnecessary stops;
An express train
An express shipment
Express
By express;
Please send the letter express
Common Curiosities
Can convey and express be used interchangeably?
While sometimes used interchangeably, convey often implies a more indirect or symbolic communication, whereas express is more direct and clear.
What are common methods to convey information in business?
In business, information is commonly conveyed through presentations, reports, and visuals, as well as through non-verbal cues during meetings.
What does it mean to convey a message?
To convey a message means to communicate it, often indirectly through various means like gestures, symbols, or actions.
What is the importance of expressing oneself in therapy?
Expressing oneself in therapy is crucial as it helps individuals articulate their thoughts and feelings clearly, aiding in understanding and healing.
How do actors convey emotions?
Actors convey emotions through their performances, using facial expressions, body language, and voice modulation to portray feelings.
How does one express emotions effectively?
Expressing emotions effectively involves clearly stating or demonstrating one's feelings through words, facial expressions, or gestures.
How does a teacher convey complex information to students?
A teacher might convey complex information using analogies, visual aids, and interactive discussions to facilitate understanding.
Is it better to convey or express opinions in a professional setting?
It depends on the context; expressing opinions directly is often appreciated for clarity, but conveying subtly can be diplomatic.
In what ways can artists express their thoughts?
Artists can express their thoughts through various mediums such as painting, sculpture, music, and dance, which allow for personal expression.
Can silence effectively convey a message?
Yes, silence can be a powerful tool to convey messages such as disapproval, contemplation, or peace, depending on the context.
What role does expressing gratitude play in relationships?
Expressing gratitude verbally or through actions strengthens relationships by acknowledging and appreciating the other person's efforts.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
