infer
Meaning: To deduce or conclude something from evidence and reasoning rather than from an explicit statement.
Infer is frequently confused with 'imply,' but the two words describe opposite sides of the same process: a speaker implies (suggests indirectly), and a listener infers (works out the meaning). In formal logic, to infer is to derive a conclusion from premises. The noun form 'inference' is widely used in academic writing, statistics, and artificial intelligence.
Examples
- From the tone of his email, she inferred that he was unhappy with the proposed changes. 从他邮件的语气中,她推断他对提议的修改不满意。Por el tono de su correo electrónico, ella infirió que él estaba descontento con los cambios propuestos.彼のメールの口調から、彼女は提案された変更に彼が不満であると推論した。그의 이메일 어조에서 그녀는 그가 제안된 변경 사항에 불만을 품고 있다고 추론했다.
- Readers are expected to infer the character's motivations from her actions rather than from any direct narration. 读者需要从人物的行为而非任何直接的叙述中推断其动机。Se espera que los lectores infieran las motivaciones del personaje a partir de sus acciones y no de una narración directa.読者は、直接的な語りからではなく、登場人物の行動からその動機を推論することが求められる。독자는 직접적인 서술이 아니라 등장인물의 행동에서 그 동기를 추론해야 한다.
- Scientists infer the age of fossils by analysing the geological layers in which they are found. 科学家通过分析化石所在的地质层来推断其年代。Los científicos infieren la edad de los fósiles analizando los estratos geológicos en los que se encuentran.科学者は、化石が発見された地層を分析することによって化石の年代を推定する。과학자들은 화석이 발견된 지질층을 분석하여 화석의 연대를 추정한다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin inferre (to bring in, carry in, conclude), from in- (in) and ferre (to carry, bear). Used in English since the 16th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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