- Published on
(A proofreader's note regarding “imply” and “infer”)
“Imply” and “infer” are designed to relate
To each other because of their miens;
Their roles are like speaker and listener respective
Except in a couple of scenes.
Most often the role of “imply” is “suggest,”
“Indirectly expressing” a thought.
We think of “infer” as receiving the hinted,
“Deducing” from what it has caught.
“To something deduce or quite clearly conclude
From the evidence and reasoning applied
In absence of statements considered explicit”
Is meaning “infer” has allied.
Along with “to guess” and as well “to surmise”
Are more senses “infer” can supply.
With meanings beyond these, “infer” in its usage
Has come to encroach on “imply.”
Its offering “to indicate” shadows “imply”
Since the latter has meaning alike:
“To indicate/hold by deduction/connection,
Not statements direct” that might spike.
There's also the sense of “to hint or suggest,”
Which “infer” has in less formal use.
In both of these constructs, no person is subject
Unlike with “imply” and its muse.
“He meant to imply that their efforts were futile
In spite of most earnest intent;
They seemed to infer that at root was some envy,
Implying they needed to vent.”