Whats the difference between implying and inferring?

Answer 1

Infering is a though process. If someone says, "It was barking and wagging its tail," you would infer they are talking about a dog.

Implying is something that is said, usually pointing to a specific conclusion. If you are playing the piano and someone asks if you are taking lessons, they might be implying you need them!

Answer 2

Difference Between Imply And Infer

Answer 3

Infer is sometimes confused with imply, but the distinction is a useful one. When we say that a speaker or sentence implies something, we mean that it is conveyed or suggested without being stated outright: "When the mayor said that she would not rule out a business tax increase, she implied (not inferred) that some taxes might be raised." Inference, on the other hand, is the activity performed by a reader or interpreter in drawing conclusions that are not explicit in what is said: "When the mayor said that she would not rule out a tax increase, we inferred that she had been consulting with some new financial advisers, since her old advisers were in favor of tax reductions."

Answer 4

If I present an argument that leads to a specific conclusion, I am doing the implying. If you listen to my argument and draw a conclusion from it, you are doing the inferring. The difference between "I imply" and "you infer" is analogous to "I throw" and "you catch".

Answer 5

You imply by stating something indirectly through association or what not. (you imply a color is not flattering by suggesting another) To infer is to come to a conclussion based upon data available. (seeing a dead animal on the road, one can infer it had been hit by a car) In other words, use “imply” when something is being suggested without being explicitly stated and “infer” when someone is trying to arrive at a conclusion based on evidence. “Imply” is more assertive, active: I imply that you need to revise your paper; and, based on my hints, you infer that I didn’t think highly of your first draft.

Answer 6

Implying is using a phrase, statment or sentence to suggest something.
Infering is coming to a conclusion on what a phrase, statement or sentence means.
so basically you could really infer that an author is implying something..you see? it's rather quite simple.:-D

Answer 7

The easiest way to distinguish between the two is to remember that when you speak, you are implying and that when you listen, you are inferring.

Answer 8

The author uses a word or sentence to "imply" a meaning.

The reader "infers" the meaning from a sentence or context.

Answer 9

Imply means to fertilize goose eggs. Infer means to fertilize spinach. SHEESH! Don't you kids know how to use a dictionary or a thesaurus???

Answer 10

Hello, just wanted to say, I enjoyed this discussion. quite inspiring answers