can be inferred from

USAGE SUMMARY

"can be inferred from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that information, or a conclusion, can be drawn from available evidence. For example, "It can be inferred from the rising stock prices that the company is doing well financially."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

Ceratosaur behaviour can be inferred from several studies on anatomy4,40,48 and biomechanics8,9,66.

Nature

Two styles from the Southern Song period can be inferred from early Japanese buildings.

Britannica

Once blood relatives are located, the identity of suspects can be inferred from family trees.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be inferred from", ensure the connection between the evidence and the inference is clear and logical to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid presenting an inference as a definitive fact. Qualify your statements to reflect the degree of certainty supported by the evidence. For example, instead of saying 'The company is failing' say 'It "can be inferred from" the declining sales figures that the company may be facing financial difficulties'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be inferred from" functions as a modal passive construction indicating that a conclusion or piece of information is drawn or derived from something else. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be inferred from" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that information or conclusions are derived from available evidence. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Its frequency across diverse fields like science, news, and academia underscores its wide applicability. To use it effectively, ensure logical connections between evidence and inferences and avoid overstating conclusions. Alternatives like "can be deduced from" or "can be derived from" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be deduced from

Uses "deduced" instead of "inferred", implying a more logical and certain conclusion.

can be derived from

Emphasizes the extraction or origination of information from a source.

can be concluded from

Highlights the act of reaching a conclusion based on evidence.

can be gathered from

Suggests collecting information from various sources to form an understanding.

can be understood from

Focuses on comprehension or interpretation of information.

can be determined from

Implies a more definitive and precise finding based on the information.

can be ascertained from

Indicates a careful and thorough investigation to discover something.

can be gleaned from

Suggests extracting information in small amounts from a larger source.

is suggestive of

Indicates that something implies or hints at a particular conclusion, rather than directly proving it.

is indicative of

Implies that something serves as a sign or symptom of something else.

FAQs

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

Use "can be inferred from" to indicate that a conclusion or piece of information is derived from evidence or observations. For example, "His anxiety "can be inferred from" his constant fidgeting".

What is a more formal alternative to "can be inferred from"?

A more formal alternative includes phrases like "can be deduced from" or "can be derived from". These alternatives add a layer of precision suitable for academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "can be inferred from" and "can be implied by"?

"Can be inferred from" means the conclusion is drawn by the observer, while "can be implied by" means the information is suggested without being explicitly stated. Therefore, "inferred" focuses on the reader, while "implied" focuses on the writer.

Is it always appropriate to use "can be inferred from" in academic writing?

Yes, "can be inferred from" is suitable for academic writing when you want to show that a conclusion is supported by evidence but not explicitly stated. It's essential, however, to ensure that your inferences are logically sound.