Feb 08 2008
Imply or Infer?
There are four kinds of people in the English-speaking world:
- Those who think there is no difference between the words “imply” and “infer” and use them interchangeably (and usually incorrectly).
- Those who have a gnawing feeling that there is, in fact, a difference between the two words, but haven’t sorted it out yet.
- Those who are pretty sure there is a difference between the two words, but couldn’t care less what it is.
- Those who know there is a difference between the two words, know what it is, and set themselves apart from the masses by using them correctly.
Which type are you? If you claim to be a #4, let’s see if you really qualify. In which of the following sentences are “imply” and “infer” used correctly?
The first two sentences are wrong. The second two are correct. If you were right, congratulations. If you were wrong – or even if you were right, but haven’t a clue why – pay attention to the following:
“Imply” means to suggest. When you write or speak, you imply things with your words. “Infer” means to deduce or come to a conclusion. Readers and listeners infer things from the words they read or hear.
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Concerning ‘imply’ and ‘infer’.
I found the 2nd example sentence to be ambiguous as to whether it showed correct usage or not. “When she heard my story, she implied that my youth had been misspent.”
My quiz answers were 1) wrong, 2) can’t tell, 3) right, 4) right.
I think this sentence, “She implied that I was lying,” means that she said indirectly that I was lying. Therefore, example sentence #2 can be read two ways: 1) When she heard my story, she concluded that my youth had been misspent. [imply was used wrongly] 2) When she heard my story, she suggested that my youth had been misspent. [imply was used correctly] (She may well have inferred this from my story, but my story may have been very blatant, leaving little doubt. We aren’t told anything about my story.) I know the scandalous details, of course, but I’m not telling.
In the 4th example sentence, the issue doesn’t arise because it is clear his words carried the implication.
This page would be improved, I believe, if #2 were altered slightly to remove the ambiguity. “From what she heard, she implied…” [wrong usage] Or use the current sentence to show how easy it is, when misusing ‘imply,’ to create a correct sentence saying something you hadn’t intended to say.
I enjoy your website. Thanks.
Point taken. I will make your suggested change. Thanks, Doug.