Infer to mean imply? [duplicate]

Solution 1:

Using infer rather than imply is quite a common mistake. A dictionary will tell you that imply means 'suggest' or 'indicate', while infer means 'deduce'.

The difference is explained in the 1989 film of Tom Sharpe's Wilt.

Police Inspector Flint has read Wilt’s lecture notes in which he discusses the low level of intelligence of the average policeman.

Police Inspector: "You're inferring that we're all thick."

Wilt: "No, I'm implying that you're all thick. You're inferring from what I've written that I think you're all thick."

If the cream's gone and the cat's licking its lips one may infer it has had the cream.