Imply vs Infer: Difference and Comparison

The difference between the terms “imply” vs “infer” can be confusing even for English speakers. Sometimes it’s a bit difficult to understand the common difference between these two English words.

The English word “imply” means to suggest by logical inference, while the term “infer” means to introduce (a subject) in speaking, writing, etc.

In English, people imply something by the words they say. On the other hand, people infer something from what someone says.

So, the main difference between imply and infer is based on the speaker and the listener.

We have discussed the difference between imply and infer in this article. So keep reading to find out the distinction between these two words.

What Is the Meaning of Imply?

According to the English dictionary, the term imply means to suggest by logical inference. It’s often used with human subjects, meaning to express indirectly or suggest.

As a transitive verb, the term “imply” requires an object, which can either be a noun phrase or a statement beginning with the conjunction “that”.

The English word “imply” means to express, suggest or show something without directly stating it.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word “imply” as to express- (as a transitive verb), it means to involve or indicate by inference, association, or necessary consequence rather than direct statement.

• An example of a sentence with the word imply is as follows; “When I state that your cat is black, I do not imply that all cats are black”.
• “Her boss implied that she will get a raise soon if only she keeps up the good work”.

Once the word “imply” is used with a non-human subject, it often means something more- like “entail” or “be logically associated with”.

The term “imply” is a verb and it was derived from a Latin word meaning “enfold or entangle” but currently means “to hint at” according to Vocabulary.com.

A person may imply something that he or she doesn’t want to outright say because they are feeling shy. By not responding to someone who leaves about four messages, you typically imply that you don’t want to chat.

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What Is the Meaning of Infer?

The term “Infer” as a transitive verb, means to introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion, to conclude by reasoning or deduction as from premises or evidence.

The word infer means to draw a conclusion or guess at something based on some evidence or premise. In English, infer is often used in formal logic as well as in many other contexts.

However, infer tends to be somewhat formal in tone despite being used in various contexts.

When you infer, it means you listen attentively to someone and guess at things they are yet to say. It’s like taking a guess from what someone is saying without making any wild guesses.

By doing so, you making deductions, guessing based on logic and not words already said.

Another type of inferring is based on scientific evidence. For instance, if an archaeologist finds some parts of a dinosaur fossil, he can infer what the remaining parts of the dinosaur looked like.

This explains why when you are inferring something, you read between the lines and pay attention to every little detail. Inferring means making a well-educated guess.

So, whenever you see the word “infer” think about educated guess.

Also Read: Sence vs Sense: Difference and Comparison

Imply vs Infer: Difference between Imply and Infer

According to the English dictionary, the term imply means to suggest by logical inference. It’s often used with human subjects, meaning to express indirectly or suggest.

The term “Infer” as a transitive verb, means to introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion, to conclude by reasoning or deduction as from premises or evidence.

Both terms, imply vs infer are verbs that are often used in the same context. The latter commonly means to guess or use reasoning to come to a conclusion regarding what has been suggested.

Because imply and infer are verbs that are often used in the same context, sometimes there is confusion on when to use these words.

When a person implies something, he or she suggests it without saying it, but you have to infer their meaning.

For example, you might infer that your friend wants a tuxedo for prom because he keeps saying he prefers a tuxedo over a suit. Now, your friend never really asked for a tuxedo, but he implied that he wants it by giving you hints.

Because he is your friend and you interact with him often, you used these hints to infer that he wants a tuxedo for prom.

Generally, the word infer means to draw a conclusion or guess at something based on some evidence or premise. It means to derive by reasoning, conclude or judge from evidence.

What this means is that there are some situations where you might infer something when nothing is really implied.

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Imply vs Infer: When/How to Use Imply and Infer

Knowing when or how to these terms in English is important, especially in sentences.  Because imply and infer are verbs that are often used in the same context, sometimes there is confusion on when to use these words.

So, how do you use the term imply correctly?

• The correct use of the English word “imply” is, “When I state that your cat is black, I do not imply that all cats are black”.
• The incorrect use of the word “imply” is as follows, “the voters have to imply too much from the governor’s speech during the general election”.

In the second sentence, the correct word to use should be “infer” and not imply.

When to Use Infer

The word infer means to draw a conclusion or guess at something based on some evidence or premise.

Knowing the correct and incorrect use of the word “infer” will help you understand the difference between imply vs infer more clearly.

• The correct use of the word infer is, “Am I right to infer that my selection is unlikely to happen”?
• The incorrect use of the word infer is, “She did infer that she will be visiting family out of town”.

In the second sentence, the correct word to use should be “imply” and not infer.

Imply vs Infer: Example of Sentences Using Imply and Infer

The following are examples of sentences with the term “imply”.

• When I state that your cat is black, I do not imply that all cats are black.
• The proposition that “all dogs are mammals” implies that my dog is a mammal.
• I didn’t mean to imply that your work ethic is poor.
• Every furniture expert implies that repairs are required for the new desk.
• The term “migration” was never meant to imply a restriction on the entry of people from other countries.

Also Read: Dissertation vs Thesis: Difference and Comparison

Examples of Sentences with the Term “Infer”

• It’s unwise for you to infer that farming women generally lack common sense.
• I inferred her determination from her silence.
• The teacher at my school can infer feelings by looking at paintings.
• One might likely infer from reports the poor performance of the company.
• With this reliable information, we can infer a logical conclusion.

Conclusion

Both terms, imply vs infer are verbs that are often used in the same context. The latter commonly means to guess or use reasoning to come to a conclusion regarding what has been suggested.

The word infer means to draw a conclusion or guess at something based on some evidence or premise. In English, infer is often used in formal logic as well as in many other contexts.

As a transitive verb, the term “imply” requires an object, which can either be a noun phrase or a statement beginning with the conjunction “that”.

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References

• Vocabulary: imply
• Vocabulary: infer
• Scribbr: Infer vs. Imply | Difference, Definitions & Examples
• Dictionary.com: “Imply” vs. “Infer”: Learn The Difference
• Toppr: Imply Vs Infer