What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
infers
Example
From her tone of voice, I inferred that she was upset. [inferred: past tense verb]
Example
Based on the clues, we can infer that the suspect is male. [infer: present tense verb]
imply
Example
She didn't say it outright, but her words implied that she didn't believe me. [implied: past tense verb]
Example
The tone of his voice implies that he is not happy with the situation. [implies: present tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Imply is more commonly used than infer in everyday language. Imply is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while infer is less common and is typically used in academic or technical writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between infers and imply?
Infer is often associated with a more formal tone, while imply is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
