Imply / Infer

Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:

IMPLY / INFER

To imply is to indicate something without actually stating it; to infer is to assume something based on observation and/or information gathered without being directly shown or told that assumption.

INCORRECT: Did you mean to infer that not all politicians are honest?

CORRECT: Did you mean to imply that not all politicians are honest?

CORRECT: I can only infer from your comment that you are implying that some politicians are not to be trusted.

© 2023 Ann Henry. All Rights Reserved.

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