to infer that

USAGE SUMMARY

"to infer that" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that one is drawing a conclusion or making an educated guess based on evidence or reasoning. Example: The detective carefully examined the evidence at the crime scene and was able to infer that the suspect had been in the room at the time of the murder.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Surnow warned against using the show's demise to infer that conservatives are not funny.

The New York Times

But we don't need to infer that Trump appreciates acting department heads.

The Washington Post

The approach relies on a flexible two-tiered signature to infer that CO2 leakage has occurred.

Energy Procedia

One way to interpret these contrary cycles is to infer that Americans have a lower opinion of their kids' capacities.

The New Yorker

"To try to infer that anything done was improper here is a horrible injustice," Mr. Schnapp said.

The New York Times

In addition, the suit argues that authorities had no reason to infer that Longenecker was a threat to the public.

The Washington Post

This article seems to infer that much more complex memories in humans may also be encoded by a single neuron.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It is easy to infer that line i1 j is equal to and parallel to line i2 k.

Petroleum Science

This led him to infer that glaciers existed on the mountain.

Wikipedia

In their eyes, section 3 is about "how interpreters are to infer that intention".

Wikipedia

It is at least fair to infer that millions of evangelicals did not vote for Donald Trump.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to infer that" when you want to explicitly state that you are drawing a conclusion based on evidence or reasoning. It adds a level of formality and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "to infer that" when you mean "to imply". "Infer" means to draw a conclusion, while "imply" means to suggest something without saying it directly. The speaker implies, and the listener infers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to infer that" functions as an infinitive phrase that introduces a clause expressing a conclusion or deduction. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in various contexts, as shown by the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

43%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to infer that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for indicating that a conclusion has been reached based on evidence or reasoning. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it appears commonly in news media, scientific publications, and academic writing, making it versatile for different registers. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and correctness by distinguishing it from similar terms like "imply". Leveraging best practices and avoiding common errors will enhance the precision of your written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to deduce that

Focuses on reaching a conclusion through logical reasoning, implying a more formal and systematic approach.

to conclude that

Emphasizes the act of reaching a final judgment or decision after considering the evidence.

to assume that

Implies taking something for granted without necessarily having complete proof, suggesting a degree of uncertainty.

to surmise that

Suggests forming a belief based on incomplete or suggestive evidence.

to gather that

Highlights the process of collecting information to form an understanding or conclusion.

to understand that

Focuses on comprehension and awareness, implying a more passive reception of information.

to believe that

Indicates a personal conviction or opinion, which may or may not be based on concrete evidence.

to suspect that

Suggests having a feeling or inclination without firm proof, implying a degree of doubt.

to hypothesize that

Emphasizes a tentative explanation or theory, often used in scientific contexts.

to speculate that

Implies forming a conjecture or opinion without firm evidence, often involving a degree of uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "to infer that" in a sentence?

You can use "to infer that" to introduce a conclusion you've drawn from evidence. For example: "Based on the data, it's reasonable "to infer that" the new policy had a positive effect."

What are some alternatives to "to infer that"?

Alternatives include "to deduce that", "to conclude that", or "to assume that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "imply that" instead of "to infer that"?

While related, "imply" and "infer" have different meanings. "Imply" means to suggest something indirectly, while "infer" means to draw a conclusion. It is more precise to say "to infer that" when you are explaining a conclusion that you are drawing. Saying to "imply that" would be stating that you are indirectly suggesting something.

What's the difference between "to infer that" and "to assume that"?

"To infer that" suggests drawing a conclusion based on evidence, while "to assume that" implies taking something for granted without necessarily having proof. "To assume that" carries a higher degree of uncertainty.