In my last tip I addressed the slight but significant difference between differ from and differ with. In this tip, I tackle a similar distinction between to infer and to imply. Observe the example in the image at left.
To infer means to conclude or to draw a conclusion. To imply means to hint or to suggest. Thus, audiences (those receiving a message) infer while communicators (those sending out a message) imply. Accordingly, a savvy writer will adjust the sentence in the example graphic to look more like this:
To infer means to conclude or to draw a conclusion. To imply means to hint or to suggest. Thus, audiences (those receiving a message) infer while communicators (those sending out a message) imply. Accordingly, a savvy writer will adjust the sentence in the example graphic to look more like this:
The assessment report implies that catastrophic failure was imminent, contrary to the findings of our own investigation.
In this instance, to imply is the correct verb. A report sends out messages rather than receives them; thus, a report does not draw conclusions but can hint or suggest. Report readers, on the other hand, can draw conclusions. Thus,
Management inferred from the report that consultation with a lawyer might be prudent.
is an appropriate use of the verb to infer. Report writers can also draw conclusions, so what about them? Would the following sentence be improper?
We infer from our investigation that catastrophic failure was not imminent.
The answer is no. This sentence is quite proper, because here the investigation plays the role of communicator (sending a message) and the report writers play the role of the audience (receiving a message). The subject paired with the verb plays the role of audience, and thus the use of to infer as the verb is appropriate.
Remembering the roles that to infer and to imply may legitimately play based on their definitions can help steer a writer clear of imprecise writing. To infer means to conclude, which can be done by the receiver of a message and not the sender. To imply means to hint or to suggest, which can be done by the sender and the receiver. Thus, just as messages are received from the sender, infer to draw conclusions, but imply to hint or suggest.
Remembering the roles that to infer and to imply may legitimately play based on their definitions can help steer a writer clear of imprecise writing. To infer means to conclude, which can be done by the receiver of a message and not the sender. To imply means to hint or to suggest, which can be done by the sender and the receiver. Thus, just as messages are received from the sender, infer to draw conclusions, but imply to hint or suggest.
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