they inferred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they inferred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing conclusions or deductions made based on evidence or reasoning. Example: "After analyzing the data, they inferred that the new marketing strategy was effective in increasing sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some viewers complained about the Dollar Menu commercials, because they inferred that the bleeps were covering up a lewd word.

The New York Times

In the margin, they wrote how they inferred their writer would respond.

The New York Times

From this they inferred that infants comprehend the cartoon character's perspective, Dr. Endress said.

The New York Times - Science

Subjects also performed a social attribution task (SAT) in which they inferred mental states about interacting geometric shapes.

NeuroImage

People will judge the fairness of these outcomes in terms of what they were told, and what kinds of implicit promises they inferred.

The Guardian - Opinion

But people were more likely to vote for a man when he explicitly expressed or they inferred that he had that intention.

Yale University

Spectroscopists made good use of this fact when they inferred from the spectra of isotopically mixed diatoms the existence of previously unknown isotopes.

Britannica

They inferred an increase in the entropy of the functional connectivity in some regions of the brain, by studying the temporal evolution (i.e., dynamics) of the connectivity graphs.

Nature

"Envious and jealous, they inferred that China must have used many 'crooked roads and paths', the so-called 'original sin' theory".

The New York Times

On the assumption (first adopted by the Dutch mathematician and scientist Christiaan Huygens) that faintness is a statistical measure of distance, they inferred the enormous average separations of stars.

Britannica

They inferred a driver's home neighborhood from the regularity of the route traveled and from the locations of cell towers that handled calls made between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they inferred" when you want to emphasize that a conclusion was reached based on reasoning from evidence, rather than direct observation or explicit statements.

Common error

Avoid using "they inferred" when the conclusion is a direct observation or a clearly stated fact. Opt for phrases like "they observed" or "they noted" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they inferred" functions as a verb phrase indicating a conclusion or deduction made by a group of people based on evidence or reasoning. Ludwig examples show its usage in various contexts, from scientific studies to news reports, supporting this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they inferred" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that a group of people reached a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related sources. When writing, it's crucial to employ this phrase when conveying a conclusion drawn from evidence rather than a direct observation. Be mindful of the subtle differences between "they inferred" and similar phrases like "they deduced" or "they observed" to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they deduced

Indicates a conclusion reached through logical reasoning, often from specific premises.

they concluded

Suggests a judgment or decision reached after considering available information.

they reasoned

Implies a systematic and logical thought process leading to a conclusion.

they gathered

Indicates collecting information and forming an understanding based on it.

they understood

Conveys a comprehension or grasp of a concept based on available data.

they surmised

Suggests forming an opinion or judgment about something without firm evidence.

they assumed

Implies accepting something as true without proof.

they interpreted

Indicates explaining the meaning of something based on a particular perspective.

they perceived

Suggests becoming aware of something through the senses or intuition.

they speculated

Implies forming a theory or conjecture about something without firm evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "they inferred" in a sentence?

Use "they inferred" to indicate that a group reached a conclusion based on reasoning and evidence. For example: "Based on the data, "they inferred" a causal relationship between the two variables."

What are some alternatives to "they inferred"?

You can use alternatives such as "they deduced", "they concluded", or "they reasoned" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "they inferred" in formal writing?

Yes, "they inferred" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in academic and scientific contexts, as it indicates a logical deduction process.

What is the difference between "they inferred" and "they observed"?

"They inferred" means they reached a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning, while "they observed" means they directly noticed or witnessed something. You can say "By carefully watching the experiment, "they observed" a change in color, so "they inferred" a chemical reaction had taken place".