What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
guess
Example
I can only guess how much the repair will cost. [guess: verb]
Example
My guess is that she won't be able to make it to the meeting. [guess: noun]
infer
Example
Based on the evidence, we can infer that the suspect was at the scene of the crime. [infer: verb]
Example
Her tone of voice led me to infer that she was upset. [infer: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Guess is more commonly used in everyday language than infer. Guess is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while infer is more technical and often used in academic or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between guess and infer?
Infer is generally considered more formal than guess. It is often used in academic or technical writing, while guess is more casual and informal.
