infer

/ɪnˈfɜː(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈfɜːr/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈfər/ (ame, mw)

infer — verb

  • inferpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • infershe / she / it
  • inferredpast simple
  • inferring-ing form

1. to reach a conclusion about something based on the information or signs you noti

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to reach a conclusion about something based on the information or signs you notice — for example, inferring from a wet umbrella that it is raining outside

例句

From the muddy footprints on the kitchen floor, Indra inferred that someone had come in through the back door.

infer + that-clause with evidence from context

Looking at the dark clouds, Kabir inferred that a heavy storm was approaching.

同義詞
  • deduce

    more systematic and logical; suggests a step-by-step reasoning process

  • conclude

    more final and definite; implies all information has been considered

  • gather

    less formal and more tentative; used in everyday conversation

  • surmise

    more formal and literary; suggests a guess with less solid evidence

反義詞
  • doubt

    the opposite of reaching a conclusion; implies uncertainty

文法句型

infer + that-clause

infer + noun phrase

infer + from + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently followed by a that-clause rather than a simple noun phrase. The source of the information is introduced by 'from'. In everyday speech, 'gather' and 'figure' are common informal alternatives.

常見錯誤

❌Are you inferring that I am lying?
✅Are you implying that I am lying?
💡'imply' means to suggest indirectly (the speaker does it); 'infer' means to draw a conclusion (the listener does it).
❌I inferred him to be the owner.
✅I inferred that he was the owner.
💡'infer' cannot be followed by an object + infinitive; use a that-clause instead.

2. to reach a conclusion by applying logical reasoning to known facts, premises, or

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to reach a conclusion by applying logical reasoning to known facts, premises, or established principles — for example, inferring a mathematical proof from a set of axioms

例句

Hari inferred from the soil samples and fossil records that the region was once covered by a vast ocean.

infer + from + noun phrase + that-clause

From the data collected over six months, the research team inferred a clear pattern of seasonal migration.

infer + noun phrase + from data

同義詞
  • deduce

    nearly interchangeable; often preferred in formal logic and mathematics

  • reason

    emphasizes the process of thinking step by step rather than the conclusion

  • derive

    suggests obtaining a result by following a formal procedure

反義詞
  • guess

    opposite of reasoned conclusion; done without evidence or systematic thinking

文法句型

infer + that-clause

infer + noun phrase + from + noun phrase

用法筆記

Common in academic, scientific, and philosophical writing where the reasoning process is explicit. Unlike sense 1 (DRAW CONCLUSION), the conclusion in this sense is not a tentative guess but is logically derived from stated facts or premises.

常見錯誤

❌The scientist inferred that the hypothesis must be correct because it fit the data well.' (wordy)
✅The scientist inferred from the data that the hypothesis was correct.
💡place the source of reasoning right after the verb for clarity.