he had inferred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he had inferred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a conclusion or understanding that someone has drawn from evidence or reasoning in the past. Example: "After reviewing the data, he had inferred that the new strategy would lead to increased sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Two of the appeals judges said the comments were simply "candid reflections of what he had inferred from the trial" and did not demonstrate bias.

The New York Times

But Mr. Schundler made clear tonight that he had inferred, from the use of the word "extremist," that Mr. McGreevey believed that Catholics and other opponents of abortion were unfit for public office.

The New York Times

In an interview Thursday, Mr. Call said Mr. Ryan had stated only that he climbed "a number of peaks," and that he had inferred the total from a 2009 article in The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In this equation, he has inferred that having a reduced United Nations role would be best.

The New York Times

In almost 100 pages of reference notes, Oates occasionally tells us that he has inferred, simulated or created.

The New York Times - Books

"Large comets [such as Hale-Bopp] have nothing to do with the water in our oceans," says Frank, who believes that the water arrived in swarms of tiny, fluffy objects whose existence he has inferred from ultraviolet emissions observed in Earth's upper atmosphere.

Science Magazine

It has to do, she has inferred, with an implicit knowledge of social conventions and codes, of cultural presuppositions of every sort.

The New Yorker

Earlier this week Ecclestone admitted paying Gribkowsky £10m but said the payment was not a bribe but an "insurance policy" because the German had inferred he would go to the Inland Revenue with allegations about his tax affairs.

The Guardian - Sport

In a 1995 sworn statement DeVecchio denied ever deliberately leaking intelligence to Scarpa, but he said it was possible that Scarpa had inferred information from his questions, adding, "You cannot debrief a top-echelon source in a vacuum".

The New Yorker

As he had observed when interviewing Ben and as I had inferred from the Weston biography Ben was an exceptionally interesting and civilized man.

The New Yorker

As he had observed when interviewing Ben — and as I had inferred from the Weston biography — Ben was an exceptionally interesting and civilized man.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he had inferred" when you want to indicate that a person reached a conclusion based on indirect evidence or reasoning, rather than explicit statements. This is particularly useful in analytical or narrative writing where you're describing someone's thought process.

Common error

Avoid using "he had inferred" when a more direct verb like 'concluded', 'deduced', or 'realized' would be more precise and impactful. Using "he had inferred" when the evidence is direct can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he had inferred" functions as part of a clause, indicating a past action of drawing a conclusion based on available information, rather than explicit statements. As seen in Ludwig, this construction places emphasis on the process of reasoning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he had inferred" is a grammatically sound construction used to describe a past action of drawing a conclusion from available information. It appears across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, according to Ludwig. Though not exceedingly common, its consistent usage and presence in reputable sources validate its correctness. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity, emphasizing its role in denoting reasoned understanding rather than explicit knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he had deduced

Focuses on logical reasoning to arrive at a conclusion.

he had concluded

Implies a definitive decision or judgment based on evidence.

he had gathered

Suggests collecting information to form an understanding.

he had surmised

Emphasizes a tentative conclusion based on incomplete information.

he had understood

Highlights a clear comprehension of the situation.

he had perceived

Focuses on sensory awareness and interpretation.

he had speculated

Suggests forming a theory without firm evidence.

he had assumed

Implies taking something for granted without proof.

he had gathered from

Signifies collecting information from a specific source.

he had reasoned

Focuses on the process of logical thought and argumentation.

FAQs

How can I use "he had inferred" in a sentence?

Use "he had inferred" to show that someone drew a conclusion based on available information, without being explicitly told. For instance: "From her silence, he had inferred her disapproval".

What are some alternatives to "he had inferred"?

You can use alternatives like "he had deduced", "he had concluded", or "he had assumed" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "he inferred" or "he had inferred"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "he had inferred" indicates that the inference occurred at a specific point in the past, often before another event. "He inferred" is a simple past tense and doesn't specify the timing as precisely.

What's the difference between "he had inferred" and "he had assumed"?

"He had inferred" suggests a conclusion based on some evidence or reasoning, while "he had assumed" suggests a belief taken for granted without concrete proof. Inference is more reasoned, while assumption is more speculative.