Imply vs Infer
The speaker implies — hints at something without saying it. The listener infers — draws a conclusion from the hint.
The one-line answer
The speaker implies — hints at something without saying it. The listener infers — draws a conclusion from the hint.
imply
verbto suggest something without saying it directly
- Are you implying that I lied?
- Her tone implied she was unhappy.
- The report implies a need for change.
infer
verbto conclude something from evidence or hints
- What can we infer from the data?
- I inferred from her silence that she disagreed.
- Readers infer the ending from the clues.
Memory trick
Follow the arrow: the speaker IMPLies — the meaning goes OUT. The listener INfers — the conclusion comes IN. Writers and speakers imply; readers and listeners infer.
Imply vs Infer: Test yourself
Question 1 of 2From his tone, I ___ that something was wrong.