make inferences

USAGE SUMMARY

"make inferences" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation where someone is drawing a conclusion based on evidence or what they already know. For example: "During the investigation, the detective had to make inferences to find clues that led to the suspect."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just [INAUDIBLE] make inferences from.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"When we don't remember, we make inferences," Dr. Tversky said.

The New York Times - Health

"You can't make inferences about teaching and learning based on one year's performance alone".

The New York Times

There is no official ending but you can make inferences as to how it ends.

The Guardian

This is enough, he said, to make inferences about the overall trends in sea ice cover.

The Guardian

People make inferences about one another's motives based on first impressions, which occur extremely quickly.

Harvard Business Review

He instead called on jurors to "use your common sense" and make inferences from other evidence.

The New York Times

The results from the strata are then aggregated to make inferences about the population.

Britannica

How do people use memories to make inferences about real-world objects?

Cognition

However, designing tasks that target students' ability to make inferences can be challenging.

Journal of English for Academic Purposes

Lesioning studies are often used in cognitive neuroscience to make inferences about the architecture of cognition.

Brain and Cognition

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing analytically, use "make inferences" to show you are drawing conclusions based on evidence, strengthening your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "make inferences" when you're merely assuming something without supporting evidence; ensure your conclusions are logically derived from the available information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make inferences" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of deriving conclusions that are not explicitly stated but are logically suggested by the available information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make inferences" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that describes the process of drawing conclusions based on evidence. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and the numerous examples demonstrate its versatility across various contexts, including science, news, academia, and more. While alternatives like "draw conclusions" or "infer" exist, the choice depends on the desired nuance and formality. When using this phrase, ensure that your inferences are logically supported by evidence and avoid confusing it with mere assumption.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infer

A shorter, more direct synonym, implying the same process of reaching a conclusion from evidence.

draw conclusions

Emphasizes the final act of reaching a decision or judgment based on evidence.

come to a conclusion

Similar to "draw conclusions", but slightly more informal.

deduce

Suggests a more logical and systematic approach to reaching a conclusion.

derive insights

Emphasizes gaining a deeper understanding or revelation from the information.

extrapolate

Focuses on extending existing knowledge to predict or estimate new information.

gain understanding

Focuses on acquiring comprehension through analysis and interpretation.

speculate

Suggests forming a theory or conjecture without firm evidence.

reach a verdict

Implies making a judgment, often in a legal or formal context.

formulate an opinion

Highlights the development of a personal belief or viewpoint.

FAQs

How can I use "make inferences" in a sentence?

You can use "make inferences" to describe the process of drawing conclusions based on evidence or reasoning. For example, "The detective had to make inferences to solve the case."

What are some alternatives to "make inferences"?

Alternatives include "draw conclusions", "deduce", or "infer". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "make inferences" or simply "infer"?

"Make inferences" is a more verbose way of saying "infer". Both are grammatically correct, but "infer" is often more concise. The choice depends on your desired level of formality and style.

What does it mean to "make inferences" in academic writing?

In academic writing, to "make inferences" means to draw reasoned conclusions based on the evidence presented in texts or data. It involves going beyond the explicitly stated information to understand underlying meanings or implications.