infer
infer — 動詞
1. to reach a conclusion about something based on the information or signs you noti
推斷；推測
根據已知資訊做出判斷
to reach a conclusion about something based on the information or signs you notice — for example, inferring from a wet umbrella that it is raining outside
From the muddy footprints on the kitchen floor, Indra inferred that someone had come in through the back door.
Indra 從廚房地板上的泥腳印推斷，有人是從後門進來的。
infer + that-clause with evidence from context
Looking at the dark clouds, Kabir inferred that a heavy storm was approaching.
Kabir 看著烏雲，推測一場大雷雨即將來臨。
Based on the broken lock and scattered belongings, the police inferred a burglary.
根據被破壞的門鎖和散落的物品，警方推斷這是一起竊盜案。
The teacher could infer from Amihan's silence that she had not finished her reading.
老師從 Amihan 的沉默可以推測，她還沒讀完指定的內容。
Dr. Okonkwo examined the patient's persistent cough and high fever, and inferred that it was a bacterial lung infection.
Okonkwo 醫師檢查了病人持續的咳嗽和高燒，推斷這是細菌性肺部感染。
- doubt
the opposite of reaching a conclusion; implies uncertainty
文法句型
infer + that-clause
infer + noun phrase
infer + from + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a that-clause rather than a simple noun phrase. The source of the information is introduced by 'from'. In everyday speech, 'gather' and 'figure' are common informal alternatives.
常見錯誤
2. to reach a conclusion by applying logical reasoning to known facts, premises, or
推論；演繹
透過邏輯推理得出結論
to reach a conclusion by applying logical reasoning to known facts, premises, or established principles — for example, inferring a mathematical proof from a set of axioms
Hari inferred from the soil samples and fossil records that the region was once covered by a vast ocean.
Hari 從土壤樣本和化石紀錄推論，該地區曾經被一片廣闊的海洋覆蓋。
infer + from + noun phrase + that-clause
From the data collected over six months, the research team inferred a clear pattern of seasonal migration.
從六個月來收集的資料中，研究團隊推論出一個清晰的季節遷徙模式。
infer + noun phrase + from data
Yuki inferred from the layers of ash and broken pottery that the ancient village had been destroyed by a fire.
Yuki 從灰燼層和破碎的陶器推論，這座古村落曾毀於一場大火。
Élise inferred from the experiment results that the compound was not stable at high temperatures.
Élise 從實驗結果推論，該化合物在高溫下並不穩定。
- guess
opposite of reasoned conclusion; done without evidence or systematic thinking
文法句型
infer + that-clause
infer + noun phrase + from + noun phrase
用法筆記
Common in academic, scientific, and philosophical writing where the reasoning process is explicit. Unlike sense 1 (DRAW CONCLUSION), the conclusion in this sense is not a tentative guess but is logically derived from stated facts or premises.