inferred

IPA/ɪnfˈɜːd/
KK[ˌɪnfˈɚd]IPA/ˌɪnfˈərd/

inferred — verb

  • inferredpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • inferreds3rd person singular
  • inferreding-ing form
  • inferrededpast simple

1. to use known facts or evidence to arrive at a reasonable conclusion that somethi

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to use known facts or evidence to arrive at a reasonable conclusion that something is probably true

例句

From the wet sidewalk, Yuki inferred that it had rained during the night.

infer + that-clause for reasoning from evidence

The detective inferred the truth from the small clues left at the crime scene.

同義詞
  • deduced

    more formal and systematic, often used for logical reasoning from established premises

  • concluded

    emphasises reaching a firm judgment after weighing available information

  • gathered

    more informal, suggesting understanding was pieced together from hints rather than hard facts

文法句型

infer + that-clause

be inferred from + noun phrase

用法筆記

Inferred is the past tense and past participle of infer. The spelling doubles the final 'r' before adding '-ed' (infer → inferred). Frequently used with from to introduce the evidence on which the conclusion is based.

常見錯誤

❌The speaker inferred that the meeting was over.
✅The speaker implied that the meeting was over.
💡A speaker implies (hints at) something; a listener infers (concludes) something from the hint.
❌She infered the answer from the context.
✅She inferred the answer from the context.
💡The spelling requires double 'r' before '-ed' (infer + r + ed).

2. to form an opinion or guess about something using limited information or signs,

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to form an opinion or guess about something using limited information or signs, without having all the facts

例句

From her silence, Diego inferred that Sofia was upset about the decision.

infer + that-clause for guess based on behaviour

The teacher inferred from the students' confused faces that the explanation was not clear enough.

同義詞
  • surmised

    more formal and literary, emphasises speculation based on incomplete evidence

  • guessed

    more informal and direct, implies less reliance on reasoning

  • speculated

    suggests considering possibilities without being sure, often about future events

反義詞

文法句型

infer + that-clause

infer + noun phrase (from + noun phrase)

用法筆記

This sense is less certain than DEDUCE FROM EVIDENCE (sense 1). While sense 1 assumes the evidence is strong enough to support a probable conclusion, this sense emphasises filling in gaps with intuition or impression.

常見錯誤

❌I inferred he was lying based on no evidence at all.
✅I guessed he was lying based on no evidence at all.
💡Infer suggests there is at least some evidence or reason; a pure guess without any clue is not inferred.