There is often confusion surrounding the verbs ‘to imply’ and ‘to infer’. Deciding which verb is the correct one to use in the context of your writing depends upon point of view, and whether one is the speaker or the interpreter of what has been said. Intrigued? Read on to learn more about these subtly different verbs so that you can employ them with confidence in your writing.
To Infer
To infer is to interpret something from what has been said, and to assume or guess at an implied meaning. It would be used in a sentence like this:
‘I infer from what you have said that you dislike your mother in law’.
The process of inferring, or making an inference, does not necessarily lead to the truth. To infer is to conclude something from the evidence given, rather than from explicit statements of fact. There is always the potential for information to be misinterpreted.
To Imply
To imply is to actively suggest or hint through speech or writing, without explicitly stating something. Like the word ‘infer’, it is all to do with hidden meanings, or meanings masked by ambiguous language or behaviour. It might be used in a sentence like this:
‘His tone implied that he did not approve’.
It can also be used to suggest the logical consequence of something, as in the sentences:
‘A trip from Australia to America implies a long time on an aeroplane’.
Or
‘His lack of a suitcase implied he did not intend to stay for long’.
Remember:
The speaker implies, the listener infers.
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To Infer
To infer is to interpret something from what has been said, and to assume or guess at an implied meaning. It would be used in a sentence like this:
‘I infer from what you have said that you dislike your mother in law’.
The process of inferring, or making an inference, does not necessarily lead to the truth. To infer is to conclude something from the evidence given, rather than from explicit statements of fact. There is always the potential for information to be misinterpreted.
To Imply
To imply is to actively suggest or hint through speech or writing, without explicitly stating something. Like the word ‘infer’, it is all to do with hidden meanings, or meanings masked by ambiguous language or behaviour. It might be used in a sentence like this:
‘His tone implied that he did not approve’.
It can also be used to suggest the logical consequence of something, as in the sentences:
‘A trip from Australia to America implies a long time on an aeroplane’.
Or
‘His lack of a suitcase implied he did not intend to stay for long’.
Remember:
The speaker implies, the listener infers.
If you would like some more help with academic writing, or would like to have a 500 word sample of your own paper proofread for free, get in touch with the professionals at Proofread My Document today!