noun · formal
inference
/ˈɪnfərəns/IN·fer·ence
a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
Examples
“From the survey data we can draw the inference that young people prefer online shopping.”
“The authors made a cautious inference about causality given the study design.”
“Good inference requires both data and sound reasoning.”
Band 8 sentence
“While the data show an association, careful inference about causality requires further experimental evidence.”
Collocations
- draw an inference
- causal inference
- statistical inference
Word family
Common mistakes
We can guess that students prefer online classes.→We can infer that students prefer online classes.
The inference of the study is that...→The inference drawn from the study is that...
Say it for a higher band
5guess→6conclusion→7+inference
Synonyms
conclusion
Easily confused
conclusion
“The study's conclusion was supported by strong inferences from the data.”
Related words
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In Science & Research
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