B2verbformalacademic
US/ɪnˈfɜːr/
UK/ɪnˈfɜː/
to reach a conclusion from evidence or hints rather than from something said directly
In context
From the survey results, we can infer that most students prefer morning classes.
Readers must infer the writer's opinion, because it is never stated directly.
It would be a mistake to infer a cause from a single correlation.
Words that go with infer
verb + preposition
- infer fromWhat can we infer from the sharp fall in applications?
adverb + verb
- reasonably inferWe can reasonably infer that the policy had some effect.
- safely inferFrom one small study, we cannot safely infer a general rule.
verb + noun
- infer the meaningGood readers infer the meaning of new words from context.
- infer causalityObservational data alone do not allow us to infer causality.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
Are you inferring that I copied my essay?Correct: Are you implying that I copied my essay?