Imply or infer?

Below is a transcript of the video.

Hi, I’m Dr Clare Lynch of the Doris and Bertie writing school and I’m on a mission to help you become a better, more confident writer. 

Today on the channel, imply and infer. What do they mean and what’s the difference?

Well the first thing to say is that many people often use these two words interchangeably. 

So often in fact, that the language may be changing... 

such that imply and infer may become accepted as full synonyms at some point in the future. 

But, for the time being, careful readers and careful writers will always observe the difference. 

So let’s take a look at that difference.

THE DIFFERENCE

Imply and infer are often confused because they are really two sides of the same coin.

Imply means to communicate an idea or feeling without saying it directly.

Infer means to form an idea or feeling - again, indirectly, from what someone has said or done.

EXAMPLE 1

Alice says: “Those oysters look nice!”   

Alice maybe implies, intentionally or not, that she would like some of those oysters.

Billie says: “Are you implying you’d like some?”

Here, Billie infers that Alice would, indeed, like some oysters. She forms the opinion, that Alice likes some oysters, but not on the basis of a direct request from Alice.

Let’s say Alice responds: “Yes please! But I wouldn’t want you to infer that I’m greedy”

So Alice is using infer correctly there, she does want some oysters but doesn’t want B to get the impression that she is greedy.

HOW TO REMEMBER THE DIFFERENCE

A simple way to think of the difference between imply and infer is to remember that:

We imply something by what we say or do.

We infer something from what someone else says or does.

EXAMPLE 2

Let’s look at another example. This time a written example instead of spoken:

Jo started work immediately, which implied she was excited by the project. 

Her boss inferred from Jo’s excitement she had found the previous project rather dull.

Can you see the difference?

Now, here’s a piece of advice that I think will help you pick the right word most - maybe not all - but definitely most of the time.

When people confuse imply and infer it’s usually because they’re using the word infer when they really mean imply.

It never, I don’t think, happens the other way around.

So my advice is simply to avoid the word infer altogether, unless you’re absolutely sure you’re using it correctly.

And to always use imply - except when you are clearly talking about making an inference, assumption or interpretation. 

In that case, feel free to use infer.

For more writing advice, enrol in my online course, Writing With Confidence, available at the Doris and Bertie Writing School.

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