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- When we imply something, we’re hinting at what we mean but not saying it directly:
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What does it mean if you imply that something is the case?
What is the difference between imply and infer?
What does it mean to imply something?
How do you imply something?
If you imply that something is the case, you say something which indicates that it is the case in an indirect way.
Aug 30, 2023 · The simple difference between imply and infer is: When you imply something, you indirectly suggest or indicate that it is the case without explicitly stating so. When you infer something, you decide, conclude, guess, or deduce that it is the case based on the information provided.
Sep 27, 2022 · Imply means to suggest or to say something in an indirect way. Infer means to suppose or come to a conclusion, especially based on an indirect suggestion. Implying and inferring are both common elements of communication.
Saying you implied something when you really inferred it is a mistake even native English speakers make. However, with a little work, you will be sure to never mix them up again. Let's take a look at a few examples to help you understand the difference.
- What Does Imply Mean?
- What Does Infer Mean?
- Is Infer Ever A Synonym of imply?
- Worksheet: Imply vs. Infer
- Other Interesting Language Articles
Imply is most commonly used with a human subject to mean “suggest” or “express indirectly.” As a transitive verb, it needs an object, which is usually either a noun phrase or a statement starting with the conjunction“that.” When it’s used with a nonhuman subject, imply often means something more like “entail” or “be logically associated with.” It d...
Infer means to draw a conclusion or guess at something based on some sort of (typically indirect) evidence. It’s used in formal logic, where consequences are said to be inferredfrom premises. It’s also used in many other contexts, although it tends to be somewhat formal in tone. Grammatically, it’s a transitive verb whose object is usually either a...
People sometimes use infer interchangeably with imply, using it to mean “suggest” or “indicate.” Most commentators view this as a stylistic error, since it blurs the distinction between the two words. Some authorities, such as Merriam-Webster, regard this usage as perfectly fine, since it has a long history (e.g., in Shakespeare: “this doth infer t...
You can test your understanding of the difference between “imply” and “infer” with the worksheet below. Fill in a form of either “imply” or “infer” in each sentence.
If you want to know more about commonly confused words, definitions, common mistakes, and differences between US and UK spellings, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.
If you imply that something is the case, you say something which indicates that it is the case in an indirect way. 'Are you implying that I have something to do with those attacks?' she asked coldly. [VERB that] She felt undermined by the implied criticism. [VERB-ed] [Also VERB noun]
We imply something by what we say. We infer something from what somebody else says. The main difference between these two words is that a speaker can imply, but a listener can only infer. When someone implies something, they put the suggestion into the message: Are you implying that the team cheated?
