Master confusing words with ease
Imply vs. Infer
Imply
/ɪmˈplaɪ/Examples:
Her tone implied that he might be intruding.There is no point in implying that it was someone's fault.It implied that the Russian staff officers were educated.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Infer
/ɪnˈfɜː/Examples:
I infer that he was the cause of your disgust?"From her tone, I could infer she was disappointed.After viewing the evidence, we infer a different outcome.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Imply involves sending a message indirectly, while infer involves receiving it.
- If you are giving a hint, you are implying; if you are catching a hint, you are inferring.
- To imply, think of someone planting a seed in someone's mind; to infer, think of someone seeing the sprout and understanding what plant it will become.
- The speaker or writer usually implies, while the listener or reader infers.
- In a conversation, if you suggest something without saying it outright, youre using imply; if you understand what wasnt directly stated, youre using infer'.
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