we may infer

USAGE SUMMARY

'we may infer' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'we may infer' when you want to draw a conclusion from available evidence or information. For example, "From her comments, we may infer that she is not happy with the current situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In other words, we may infer that Kafka was playing hard to get.

The Guardian - Books

Hale had the former but, we may infer, not the latter.

The Guardian

That, we may infer, is because no UK judge was among the 18 applicants from whom the shortlist was chosen.

The Guardian

And, we may infer, that criminal act went unpunished by law, but has tormented her ever since.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Fairytale, the Secret Seven and Nancy Drew converge in what we may infer are the final moments of innocence.

The Guardian - Books

So what's the point of these laments for how things used to be? Whenever someone sagely says it's time to draw a line, We may infer that they've extracted all the silver from the mine.

The Guardian - Books

Brown's image is bursting with activity and society – rich and poor, young and old, rural and urban – but all this revolves around and, we may infer, depends on the industrious workmen at the centre, building an enlightened tunnel below ground.

The Guardian

Claudio had already been poisoned with a plague virus, administered – we may infer – by terrorists with an animals-rights agenda whom Saga and Martin are spending 10 hours of our lives investigating, But, when Saga and Martin examined Claudio's corpse, there was another issue of interest.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They are newly introduced entities; hence, we may infer, new content.

SEP

From this, we may infer ∃z(R+ a,z) & Rzu), by existential generalization, which is what we had to show.

SEP

Given the observation that the streets are wet we may infer the explanation that it has been raining recently.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we may infer" when you want to suggest a logical conclusion that can be drawn from the provided information, but avoid stating it as an absolute fact.

Common error

Avoid presenting an inference drawn using "we may infer" as a definitive truth. Ensure that you're leaving room for alternative interpretations or additional evidence that might alter the conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we may infer" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express a conclusion or deduction that can be reasonably drawn from the available information or evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we may infer" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for drawing conclusions based on available evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is prevalent in both scientific and news contexts, suggesting a formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that the inference is reasonable and not presented as an absolute fact. Alternatives such as "we can deduce" or "we can conclude" may be appropriate depending on the context and the strength of the deduction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we can deduce

Emphasizes a logical conclusion based on evidence.

we can conclude

Highlights the end result of a reasoning process.

it can be inferred

Passive voice construction, focusing on the action of inferring.

we might assume

Suggests a possibility rather than a definitive conclusion.

we might gather

Implies collecting information to form an impression.

we can surmise

Indicates forming an opinion based on incomplete information.

we can speculate

Suggests forming a theory without firm evidence.

we can ascertain

Focuses on discovering something with certainty.

we can gather

Highlights the process of collecting information to form a conclusion.

it's reasonable to assume

Expresses a logical assumption based on available data.

FAQs

How can I use "we may infer" in a sentence?

Use "we may infer" to introduce a conclusion you've drawn from the available information. For example, "From the data, we may infer that sales will increase next quarter."

What are some alternatives to "we may infer"?

You can use alternatives such as "we can deduce", "we can conclude", or "it can be inferred depending on the context.

Is it better to use "we may infer" or "we can infer"?

"We may infer" suggests a possibility or a reasonable conclusion, whereas "we can infer" implies a stronger, more definitive deduction. The best choice depends on the strength of the evidence supporting your conclusion.

What's the difference between "we may infer" and "we may assume"?

"We may infer" implies drawing a conclusion based on evidence or reasoning. "We may assume", on the other hand, suggests accepting something as true without proof. Therefore "we may infer" is more appropriate when there is some degree of evidence.