“Imply” vs. “Infer”: What’s the Difference?
Jun 7, 2023
Engram
The difference between “imply” and “infer”
- Imply is about suggesting, while infer is about drawing a conclusion.
- Imply comes from the speaker or writer, while infer comes from the listener or reader.
- Imply is about expressing something indirectly, while infer is about interpreting something that is indirect.
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What is the definition of “imply” and “infer”?
Imply
- To suggest or indicate something without stating it directly.
- The speaker or writer is providing a clue or hint to the listener or reader.
- Implied meanings can be subtle or indirect.
Infer
- To draw a conclusion based on evidence or reasoning.
- The listener or reader is making an interpretation based on what is being communicated.
- Inferencing requires analyzing information and making logical connections.
Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?
“Imply” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Imply
502,000,000 results on the web
Examples
- The detective's questioning seemed to imply that the suspect was guilty.
- The tone of her voice implied that she was not happy with the decision.
- The statistics imply that the economy is improving.
Infer
141,000,000 results on the web
Examples
- Based on the evidence presented, we can infer that the suspect committed the crime.
- The tone of his voice led me to infer that he was nervous about the meeting.
- She inferred from his silence that he did not agree with the proposal.
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