Inference
- Definition of Inference. Inference is a literary device used commonly in literature, and in daily life, where logical deductions are made based on premises assumed to be true.
- Examples of Inference in Literature. ...
- Function of Inference. ...
What does infer mean in literature?
infer. , imply - Infer means "to deduce, reason," and imply means "to hint at, suggest." See also related terms for hint. imply, infer - A speaker or writer implies, a hearer or reader infers; implications are incorporated in statements, while inferences are deduced from statements.
What does the word infer mean?
This word means to derive as a conclusion from facts, as well as to guess or surmise. In short, inferring something means to draw inferences. Uses of infer include to draw deductions or implications from different premises, to hint at something, to to make a valuable distinction between two things.
What is an example of inference in literature?
We draw inferences all the time when we say things like:
- “I don’t see Anne. She said she was tired, so she must have gone home to bed.”
- “Sarah’s been at the gym a lot; she must be trying to lose weight.”
- “Jacko is a dog, and all dogs love belly rubs. So Jacko must love belly rubs.”
What is the definition of inference in literature?
Inference is a literary device used commonly in literature, and in daily life, where logical deductions are made based on premises assumed to be true. Inferences are not so much used for coming to conclusions, but to open up new ways of inquiry.
What does it mean to infer literature?
An inference is a conclusion you reach by applying logic to the evidence you are given. Making inferences while reading is a strategy that will help you learn, remember, and apply what you have read. When you make inferences you are "reading between the lines".
What does it mean to infer in writing?
infer, deduce, conclude, judge, gather mean to arrive at a mental conclusion. infer implies arriving at a conclusion by reasoning from evidence; if the evidence is slight, the term comes close to surmise.
What does infer mean in book?
Inferring means figuring out something that the author doesn't actually say. You can use clues that are in the text, and things from your own mind. Sometimes it's called "reading between the lines," and it adds a lot more meaning to the story.
What is an example of a inference in literature?
We draw inferences all the time when we say things like: “I don't see Anne. She said she was tired, so she must have gone home to bed.” “Sarah's been at the gym a lot; she must be trying to lose weight.”
What are some examples of inferences?
Inference is using observation and background to reach a logical conclusion. You probably practice inference every day. For example, if you see someone eating a new food and he or she makes a face, then you infer he does not like it. Or if someone slams a door, you can infer that she is upset about something.
Is inference a literary device?
Inference is a literary device used commonly in literature and in daily life where logical deductions are made based on premises assumed to be true.
Why are inferences important in literature?
The ability to make inferences helps students develop an understanding of the author's perspective by grasping the subtle underlying meanings in a text. Without inference, people usually end up translating a text word by word, missing out on the associations a writer is trying to make.
What does inference mean in reading comprehension?
If you're making an inference while reading, you're making a guess about what you don't know based on the information available—basically, you're reading between the lines. You can use your prior knowledge and textual information to draw conclusions, make critical judgments, and form interpretations of the text.
Does infer mean suggest?
Imply means to suggest or to say something in an indirect way. Infer means to suppose or come to a conclusion, especially based on an indirect suggestion.
How do you infer text?
Making an inference involves using what you know to make a guess about what you don't know or reading between the lines. Readers who make inferences use the clues in the text along with their own experiences to help them figure out what is not directly said, making the text personal and memorable.
What is a sentence for infer?
He will infer conclusions from secondary data. We should infer that the tables in the document were all approved by the company. Can he infer what should be made explicit? The numbers infer the existence of a margin.
What are the 3 types of inferences?
3 Types of Inferences in Literature with ExamplesDeduction. A deductive inference always begins with a statement to check if it is true with the help of observation. ... Induction. An inductive inference reaches a final conclusion with premises. ... Abduction. The abductive inference is different than the previous two.
usage note for infer
Infer has been used to mean “to hint or suggest” since the 16th century by speakers and writers of unquestioned ability and eminence: The next speaker criticized the proposal, inferring that it was made solely to embarrass the government.
historical usage of infer
The English verb infer has always been used in logic to mean “to conclude by reasoning or from evidence.” It comes from the Latin verb inferre “to carry in, enter, introduce, inflict,” composed of the prefix in- “in, into” and ferre “to carry, bear.” Inferre meaning “to conclude, draw an inference, infer” is very rare in Latin, occurring only in the writings of Cicero (106–43 b.c.), Roman statesman and man of letters, and the great, commonsensical Roman rhetorician Quintilian (who lived about a.d.
What's the difference between infer and imply?
Infer most commonly means to guess or use reasoning to come to a conclusion based on what has been suggested. To imply is to indicate or suggest something without actually stating it.
How to use infer in a sentence
Such big-picture cultural observations are a jumping-off point to infer what colors, silhouettes, and fabrics will be the macro trends in fashion up to two years in advance.
usage for infer
The use of infer to mean imply is becoming more and more common in both speech and writing. There is nevertheless a useful distinction between the two which many people would be in favour of maintaining.
Why are inferences important in literature?
Inferences are also critically important for literature, because otherwise authors would have to explain everything to us out loud – how boring! Instead of saying “Harry turned red and started yelling,” the author would have to say “Harry felt angry.”. That would be much more dry and less fun to read.
Why do people confuse "assume" and "infer"?
People sometimes confuse the words “infer” and “assume.”. But assuming is what you do when you don’t have any evidence – it’s a belief you’ve already come to ahead of time. Assumptions are related to inferences because a general assumption helps us draw conclusions in any specific case.
What is the process of drawing a conclusion from supporting evidence?
An inference is the process of drawing a conclusion from supporting evidence. It’s when you go beyond the evidence and reach some further conclusion. We draw inferences all the time when we say things like:
What is an enthymeme?
Enthymeme. This is a fancy word for a partial syllogism, one in which some evidence is assumed rather than stated. We’ve already looked at the syllogism of Jacko the dog. To make it into an enthymeme, simply drop one piece of evidence and turn it into an assumption: “ Jacko is a dog. Therefore Jacko loves belly rubs.”.
How do authors make their books compelling?
So authors make their books compelling by giving you clues and rich details, then letting you draw your own conclusions as a reader. Even if the conclusions are pretty obvious (as in the example of Harry’s anger), it’s more fun as a reader if you get to make the inference for yourself.
Can we understand the world without inferences?
Without inferences, there’s no way we could understand our world. It’s all well and good to ask for evidence and proof, but sooner or later we inevitably have to go beyond the evidence and actually draw a conclusion!
Is inference good or bad?
Inferences can be good or bad depending on how logical they are. The first example here is pretty good, the third is very good, and the second is actually bad. (We’ll see why in Related Terms .) II. Examples of Inference. See below for examples of Inference.
What does it mean when you infer something?
When you infer something, you read between the lines. To infer is to make a well informed guess — if you see your mom’s bag on the table, you might infer that she’s home. When you infer, you listen closely to someone and guess at things they mean but haven't actually said. It’s like guessing, but not making wild guesses.
What is the difference between "imply" and "infer"?
imply / infer. Imply and infer are opposites, like a throw and a catch. To imply is to hint at something, but to infer is to make an educated guess. The speaker does the implying, and the listener does the inferring .
What matters in context?
Technology. < prev | next >. What matters, in context, is that the number is more than ten times the age inferred by Bible scholars, bringing science into conflict direct with theology in the second half of the eighteenth century. The Scientists.
What is the goal of inference in literature?
Before you can begin to practice inference in literature, you should know what you are looking for. Your goal is to find the intended meaning of the text. Intended meaning is what we think the author is trying to teach us.
How to find the intended meaning of a writing?
The first step to reaching a conclusion of the intended meaning of a writing is to look at the author. You should spend time reading the author's biography. Look at his/her other works and see what they have in common. Also, look at the historical and cultural context of the writing.
How often should you practice inference?
You probably practice inference every day. For example, if you see someone eating a new food and he or she makes a face, then you infer he does not like it. Or if someone slams a door, you can infer that she is upset about something.
What is an inference?
An inference is a deduction made using the available facts (or what seem to be facts). Often, inferences are regarded as rational but “non-logical.”. This means that the facts are rationally understood and deduced but, perhaps, the conclusion is not as logical as it seems. For example, two people might look at the same situation ...
Is inference good or bad?
Readers are constantly making inferences about characters, the plot, and the setting while they read (just as people do in everyday life.) They can be good or bad, completely illogical, or only slightly .
What is an inference in literature?
In literature, an inference definition involves something learned through a combination of a reader's knowledge, historical context, and what is known of the author.
Why do we use inference?
People use inference all the time in daily life: it is the process of extrapolating information. For example, if it is the middle of winter and there is snow on the ground, one might infer that a coat is needed before going outside, as it is likely to be cold.
Why is making inferences important?
Writers will often deliberately leave out some information and require readers to infer what is missing based on the evidence. This keeps audiences engaged with the story. A book where no inferences were required at all would likely be extremely dull to read because it would explicitly state every detail for the audience.
What is it called when an author is trying to communicate?
Understanding what an author is trying to communicate is also called finding the intended meaning in a story. When reading a story, it can be helpful to look for what the author is trying to communicate to the audience, or explore the work's intended meaning.
Which works of literature require readers to make inferences?
Some works that require readers to make inferences include Moby-Dick by Herman Melville, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, The Charioteer by Mary Renault, and Othello by William Shakespeare.
Is inference the same as assumption?
One important thing to keep in mind is that inferences are not the same thing as assumptions. Assumptions are not logically created by existing information but instead seek to provide new information. They may involve biases and may not tell the whole story. Causal inferences, on the other hand, are logical conclusions drawn from reasoned interpretations of evidence.
Is Iago lying in Seeing Your Coming?
Seeing your coming.''. Audiences can infer from this exchange that Iago is lying, because readers know that Cassio and Desdemona are not having an affair. They can further infer that Iago is a manipulative villain who is only concerned with his own success, to the detriment of the lives of others.
I. What Is Inference?
- An inference is the process of drawing a conclusion from supporting evidence. It’s when you go beyondthe evidence and reach some further conclusion. We draw inferences all the time when we say things like: 1. “I don’t see Anne. She said she was tired, so she must have gone home to bed.” 2. “Sarah’s been at the gym a lot; she must be trying to lose ...
III. The Importance of Inferences
- Without inferences, there’s no way we could understand our world. It’s all well and good to ask for evidence and proof, but sooner or later we inevitably have to go beyond the evidence and actually draw a conclusion! Inferences are also critically important for literature, because otherwise authors would have to explain everything to us out loud – how boring! Instead of saying “Harry t…
IV. Examples of Inference in Literature
- Example 1
This might be the most famous inference in the history of philosophy. It’s pretty sound, logically, but in fact it contains a hidden assumption (i.e. it’s an enthymeme)! The hidden assumption is: all thinking things are. So to re-write the quote as a syllogism we’d have to make it “I think, and all th… - Example 2
This quote comes from the very beginning of Moby-Dick. In it, the narrator describes his reasons for going out on the sea voyage that will bring him in contact with Ahab and the infamous Whale. From the words of this passage, we can infer a couple of things: one, that the narrator has a ten…
v. Examples of Inference in Popular Culture
- Example 1
You probably remember this scene in The Lion King. In it, Simba finds his father, Mufasa, trampled to death by wildebeests. As viewers, we see Simba trying to wake his father up, and we infer that Simba doesn’t understand death, or can’t bring himself to believe that his father is gone. At the s… - Example 2
The pilot episode of Firefly gives us a great example of audience inferences being used as red herrings. Throughout the episode, there are constant hints that Simon Tam is a federal agent sent to keep an eye on Captain Reynolds and his crew. We know, for example, that he has a large, my…
VI. Related Terms
- Assumption
People sometimes confuse the words “infer” and “assume.” But assuming is what you do when you don’t have any evidence – it’s a belief you’ve already come to ahead of time. Assumptions are related to inferences because a general assumption helps us draw conclusions in any specific c… - Syllogism
A syllogism is a logically complete statement that contains an inference. It’s logically complete because it doesn’t leave out any evidence or make any assumptions. It works entirely on the basis of stated evidence. Take, for example, the third inference from section 1, the one about Jacko th…