be inferred from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be inferred from" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the process of drawing a conclusion or understanding from something that is not explicitly stated. One example sentence could be: "The author's intention can be inferred from the symbolism used in the novel." This means that the reader can understand the author's intended message by analyzing the symbols in the novel.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

What can be inferred from the find?

Independent

But Mr. McNamara's views can be inferred from the film.

The New York Times

Our size and dexterity can be inferred from their scale.

The Guardian

Economic growth rates can be inferred from electricity consumption.

The New York Times

So little can be inferred from his selection.

The Economist

Just how lenient can be inferred from the growth in earnings restatements in recent years.

The New York Times - Magazine

A lot can be inferred from musical tastes that could be extremely valuable to advertisers.

The Guardian - Tech

An even better reason can be inferred from the mini-series.

The New York Times

But dignity was also to be inferred from the state of a man's chin.

The New Yorker

Its anguishes are subterranean, more to be inferred from what is seen than transmitted through electronically bloated shrieks and groans.

The New York Times

Emotional reactions, descriptions of people and settings, are all to be inferred from the conversations: -Really, he said, - I'm grand.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the source from which the inference is made is clear to the reader to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The cause of the malfunction can be inferred from the error logs."

Common error

Avoid presenting an inference as a definitive fact. Use qualifying language such as "suggests", "implies", or "indicates" to show that it's an interpretation, not a certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be inferred from" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a conclusion or understanding is derived from something. Ludwig AI validates its frequent usage, confirming that conclusions are drawn based on available but not explicitly stated information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be inferred from" is a frequently used and grammatically sound passive construction, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to emphasize that a conclusion or understanding is derived through reasoning and interpretation of available evidence, rather than being explicitly stated. Its primary function is to highlight the deductive process. This construction is particularly prevalent in formal and scientific contexts, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in academic journals, scientific publications, and news media. While it is suitable for formal writing, ensure the source of the inference is clear to avoid ambiguity, and qualify inferences appropriately to avoid overstating conclusions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be deduced from

Similar meaning, emphasizing a logical conclusion.

be concluded from

Focuses on reaching a final judgment based on evidence.

be derived from

Implies obtaining something from a source or origin.

be determined from

Highlights the process of establishing something definitively.

be gathered from

Suggests collecting information to form an understanding.

be understood from

Emphasizes comprehension based on available information.

be gleaned from

Implies extracting information carefully and bit by bit.

be assumed from

Highlights making a supposition without concrete proof.

be speculated from

Emphasizes forming a theory or conjecture without firm evidence.

be estimated from

Indicates an approximate calculation based on available data.

FAQs

How can I use "be inferred from" in a sentence?

Use "be inferred from" when you want to indicate that something is understood or concluded based on evidence or reasoning, rather than being explicitly stated. For example: "The character's motivations can be inferred from their actions."

What are some alternatives to "be inferred from"?

You can use alternatives like "be deduced from", "be concluded from", or "be derived from" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "can be inferred" or "can be deduced"?

Both "can be inferred" and "can be deduced" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Infer" implies drawing a conclusion from indirect evidence, while "deduce" suggests reaching a conclusion through logical reasoning from known facts. Use "be deduced from" when the conclusion is certain based on the information.

What does it mean when something "cannot be inferred from" data?

It means that the data does not provide enough information to draw a reasonable conclusion about that particular aspect. The data might be incomplete, ambiguous, or simply irrelevant to the question at hand.