What's the difference between "imply" and "infer"?

The speaker implies. The listener infers. Two sides of the same exchange.

Does the speaker imply or infer?

The speaker implies. Only the listener infers.

Quick answer Canonicalizes to Imply vs. Infer

Can I "infer" something from a text?

Q: Can I "infer" something from a text?

Yes. Infer means to draw a conclusion from evidence — a text is fair evidence. Any time you are reading signals and reaching a conclusion — a text, a tone of voice, body language — the verb is infer. Imply is what the sender did; infer is what you did. Writers often confuse the two, especially when the evidence is ambiguous.

i · AnswerOne line, no lecture

Yes. Infer means to draw a conclusion from evidence — a text is fair evidence.

ii · A little moreWhy this is the one to keep

Any time you are reading signals and reaching a conclusion — a text, a tone of voice, body language — the verb is infer. Imply is what the sender did; infer is what you did. Writers often confuse the two, especially when the evidence is ambiguous.

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