Imply or infer: do you know the difference?

IMPLY and INFER are easy to confuse – especially if you’re new to the English language. But these two words are actually opposites.

Here’s a simple tip to remember the difference between IMPLY and INFER.

When to use IMPLY

IMPLY is a verb that means to hint at something.

IMPLYING is done by the speaker. It relates to giving information.

“Are you IMPLYING that I lied?”

When to use INFER

INFER is a verb that means to make an educated guess from the information presented to you.

INFERRING is done by the listener. It relates to taking information.

“From what you’ve said, I INFER that it wasn’t the first time this had happened?”

IMPLY or INFER. Excerpt from The Little Book of Confusables by Sarah Townsend.