Writers sometimes mistakenly
use the word “infer” when they
really mean “imply.” Although the
two words are related, they are used differently. To imply means to suggest or express indirectly. To infer
means to deduce, conclude, or assume.
Thus, use imply when the actor is sending an
indirect message; use infer when the
actor is receiving, or drawing inferences from, someone else’s message. The person who implies something is the sender of the message, whereas the person who
infers something is the recipient of
the message.
· The detective implied (suggested) that the defendant was guilty by testifying, “He ran
when he saw me, didn’t he?”
· The detective inferred (deduced or concluded) from the defendant’s demeanor that he was hiding
something.
· During the
settlement negotiations, the plaintiff’s lawyer implied (suggested) that his
client would consider a lesser settlement if the defendant publicly apologized.
· When the victim
filed a civil suit, the defendant’s counsel inferred (deduced or concluded)
that the victim was no longer committed to pursuing criminal charges.
For further information, see Anne Enquist & Laurel
Currie Oates, Just Writing 310 (3d ed. 2009) and Laurel Currie Oates
& Anne Enquist, The Legal Writing Handbook 775 (5th ed. 2010).
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