What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deduce
Example
From the evidence presented, I can deduce that the suspect was at the scene of the crime. [deduce: verb]
Example
Based on the clues we have, we can deduce that the missing item was stolen. [deduce: verb]
infer
Example
From her tone of voice, I can infer that she is upset. [infer: verb]
Example
Based on his behavior, I can infer that he is nervous. [infer: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Infer is more commonly used than deduce in everyday language. Infer is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts, while deduce is more specialized and often used in academic or scientific contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between deduce and infer?
Deduce is generally considered more formal than infer. It is often used in academic or scientific writing, where precision and accuracy are important.
