Definitions
- Drawing a conclusion based on evidence or reasoning. - Making an educated guess based on available information. - Understanding something that is not explicitly stated.
- Making an assumption or conjecture without sufficient evidence. - Forming an opinion based on incomplete information. - Guessing or speculating about something without knowing all the facts.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words involve making an inference or conclusion based on available information.
- 2Both words are used to describe a process of reasoning or speculation.
- 3Both words can be used to express uncertainty or lack of complete information.
What is the difference?
- 1Evidence: Infer requires some evidence or logical reasoning to draw a conclusion, while surmise may be based on incomplete or insufficient information.
- 2Certainty: Infer implies a higher degree of certainty than surmise, which suggests a more tentative or speculative conclusion.
- 3Formality: Infer is more formal and commonly used in academic or technical contexts, while surmise is more informal and used in everyday conversation.
- 4Connotation: Infer has a neutral or positive connotation, while surmise may imply a negative or critical judgment.
- 5Usage: Infer is often used with the preposition 'from', while surmise is often used with the preposition 'about'.
Remember this!
Infer and surmise are synonyms that both describe a process of drawing a conclusion or forming an opinion based on available information. However, infer implies a higher degree of certainty and requires some evidence or logical reasoning, while surmise suggests a more tentative or speculative conclusion based on incomplete or insufficient information. Additionally, infer is more formal and neutral in connotation, while surmise is more informal and may imply a negative judgment.
