a fair inference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fair inference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when drawing a reasonable conclusion based on available evidence or information. Example: "Based on the data presented, it is a fair inference that the new marketing strategy has positively impacted sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But he conceded it was a fair inference to make.

The New York Times

No, I don't think it's a fair inference either way.

The New York Times

I don't know that for a fact, but it's a fair inference.

The New Yorker

"It is a fair inference to say he was being tortured.

Independent

It is a fair inference that the Australian immigration department tells Nauru who should be allowed to travel there.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is not correct to suggest that a fair inference can be that they were all News of the World employees," he said, provoking a spate of vigorous nodding on the part of Rhodri Davies QC, representing News International.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Is that a reasonable inference?

SEP

Hence, assessing the LC ability using both assessment modes might be important in reaching fair inferences on this ability.

Language Testing in Asia

5 Cardiovascular disease registries should measure comorbidities to permit fair inferences regarding mortality, process of care, and risk stratification after myocardial infarction.

British Medical Journal

Robb stirs things up, stripping away artifice, avoiding what he calls "weasel qualifiers" and adding "a fair slug of inference" to explore the parts less dubious methods have so far failed to reach.

The New York Times - Books

For a fair and effective comparison with other inference schemes, we again adopted a similar experimental set-up that was used in [26] to evaluate the performance of the CORG-based method, a state-of-the-art pathway activity inference scheme that uses only the condition-responsive genes in a given pathway.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fair inference", ensure the information supporting the inference is clearly presented to the reader. This allows the reader to understand the basis for your conclusion and assess its validity.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a fair inference" as an absolute fact. An inference, by its nature, involves a degree of uncertainty. Use qualifiers like "suggests" or "implies" to indicate that it is a likely, but not definitively proven, conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fair inference" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a conclusion or deduction based on available information. It typically acts as a subject complement or object of a preposition, indicating that a certain understanding is reasonably derived from the evidence. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fair inference" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a reasonable conclusion drawn from available evidence. As indicated by Ludwig, it is considered usable and appropriate in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and scientific writing, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When employing this phrase, ensure that the supporting evidence is clear, and avoid overstating the certainty of the conclusion. Alternatives like "a reasonable deduction" or "a logical conclusion" may also be considered, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable deduction

Focuses on the act of deducing, highlighting the logical process.

a logical conclusion

Emphasizes the logical nature of the conclusion drawn.

a valid assumption

Highlights the assumption aspect and its validity.

a justifiable conclusion

Focuses on the justification for the conclusion.

a well-founded deduction

Indicates that the deduction is based on solid evidence.

a supported inference

Highlights that the inference is backed by evidence.

a fair conclusion to draw

Rephrases to emphasize the fairness in arriving at the conclusion.

a reasonable assumption to make

Highlights the reasonableness of the assumption being made.

a sound judgment

Focuses on the quality and reliability of the judgment.

a defensible interpretation

Emphasizes that the interpretation can be defended with evidence or reason.

FAQs

How can I use "a fair inference" in a sentence?

You can use "a fair inference" to introduce a conclusion that is reasonably drawn from the available information. For instance, "Given the evidence, it's "a fair inference" that the policy change led to increased productivity."

What are some alternatives to using "a fair inference"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases such as "a reasonable conclusion", "a logical deduction", or "a valid assumption".

What distinguishes "a fair inference" from a wild guess?

"A fair inference" is based on evidence and logical reasoning, whereas a wild guess lacks any credible support. "A fair inference" can be justified by pointing to the facts that support it.

Is it appropriate to use "a fair inference" in formal writing?

Yes, "a fair inference" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when presenting analysis or arguments. It's a neutral and professional way to introduce a conclusion that is reasonably supported by the evidence.