inferentially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inferentially" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing conclusions or implications that are drawn from evidence or reasoning rather than from explicit statements. Example: "The results of the study suggest inferentially that there is a correlation between the two variables."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Since moral intuitions either don't provide justification at all, or do so only inferentially, there is no non-inferential justification for our moral beliefs and intuitionism is false.

SEP

Unfortunately, no Jewish texts of this genre from the Persian period are extant, so these new elements can be recognized only inferentially from their survival in later times notably in products of the ensuing Hellenistic Age, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Temple's attitudes seem similar to this: she is very aware (if only intellectually, inferentially) of what she is missing in life, but equally (and directly) aware of her strengths — her concentration, her intensity of thought, her single-mindedness, her tenacity; her incapacity for dissembling, her honesty, her directness.

The New Yorker

But when Phil Gramm, a former Republican senator from Texas, inferentially used the word "prostitute" to describe Mr. Ryan in court testimony, the former governor broke with the custom of not speaking while on trial to stand before the news media outside the court building and publicly defend himself.

The New York Times

Criticism would thus be a process of arguing inferentially from outward evidence back to inward content; creation would be a process of finding outward correlates or carriers for that prior inward content; and artistic intention would be articulated as a full mental pre-conception of the contingently finished (or "externalized", as we would then call it) work.

SEP

Moreover, according to this view, whosoever knows conventional truth, either directly or inferentially, also knows ultimate truth; whosoever knows ultimate truth, also knows phenomena as dependently arisen, and hence knows them as empty of intrinsic reality.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Conversely, one crucial premise in the regress argument claims that no moral belief can be justified non-inferentially.

SEP

The proposal is this: a conscious mental event M, of mine, is one that is disposed to cause an activated belief (generally a non-conscious one) that I have M, and to cause it non-inferentially.

SEP

Consequently, they can non-inferentially but defeasibly justify evaluative belief just as sense perceptions can justify empirical belief.

SEP

Some philosophers hold that some beliefs about physical objects are non-inferentially justified, while others hold that this is never so, and that justified beliefs about physical states of affairs are always justified via an inference to the best explanation that starts out from beliefs about one's experiences.

SEP

These consist of non-inferentially held beliefs, so they fit the belief conception of fallacies rather than the argument conception.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inferentially" when you want to emphasize that a conclusion is drawn from reasoning or evidence, rather than being explicitly stated. Ensure the context provides a clear basis for the inference.

Common error

Avoid using "inferentially" when the information is explicitly stated. The term is appropriate only when the reader must deduce the meaning from available information.

Linguistic Context

Inferentially functions as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that something is understood or derived through inference. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing examples where it clarifies how conclusions are drawn from implicit evidence rather than direct statements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

78%

News & Media

9%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inferentially" functions as an adverb indicating that something is understood through inference, rather than being explicitly stated. As noted by Ludwig AI, its use is grammatically correct and particularly common in academic, scientific, and analytical contexts. Key alternatives include "by implication" and "by inference". To use "inferentially" effectively, ensure the context provides a clear foundation for the deduction being made, avoiding its use when information is directly presented. Its register is formal, aligning with contexts that demand analytical precision. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples underscores its role in clarifying how conclusions are derived from implicit evidence, making it a valuable term for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by inference

Highlights the process of drawing conclusions based on evidence.

by implication

Focuses on the idea that something is suggested without being explicitly stated.

through deduction

Emphasizes a logical process of reasoning from general principles to specific conclusions.

through logical reasoning

Stresses the systematic and structured nature of the inference.

by reasoning

A broader term that includes any process of drawing conclusions from premises.

indirectly

Suggests that the conclusion is not reached in a straightforward manner.

by conjecture

Implies a conclusion is based on incomplete evidence or guesswork.

suggestively

Highlights the way the evidence can lead to the conclusion.

derivatively

Focuses on the origin of the information from another source through inference.

conclusively

Implies a result or outcome that follows logically from other facts. (Not as close but it may work depending on context)

FAQs

How can I use "inferentially" in a sentence?

"Inferentially" is used to indicate that something is understood or concluded through inference, rather than being stated directly. For example, "The study suggests "inferentially" that there is a correlation between the variables".

What are some alternatives to "inferentially"?

Some alternatives to "inferentially" include "by implication", "by inference", "through deduction", or "indirectly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "inferentially" mean?

"Inferentially" means relating to or based on inference. It signifies that a conclusion is reached through reasoning from evidence, rather than explicit statements.

When is it appropriate to use "inferentially" in writing?

Use "inferentially" when you want to emphasize that a conclusion is drawn from reasoning or evidence that is not explicitly stated. It's useful in academic, scientific, and analytical writing.