Imply / Infer
Different meaningsThe sender implies; the receiver infers. Some historical overlap exists, but this distinction prevents ambiguity.
Imply
Use when
A speaker, writer or piece of evidence suggests something indirectly.
Example
“The paper implies that further approval will be needed.”
Infer
Use when
A reader or listener reaches a conclusion from evidence.
Example
“We inferred from the response that the proposal was not supported.”
Quick check
are you inferring that
Usage note