What does it mean to "infer" something?

To "infer" something means to arrive at a conclusion based on reasoning rather than from explicit statements presented. This process involves taking known information or evidence and using it to deduce or imply a broader understanding or meaning that isn't directly stated. Inference is a fundamental aspect of critical thinking, as it requires the ability to piece together information to draw logical conclusions.

While clarifying a statement involves making something clearer, it does not represent inference. Stating something explicitly means putting it into words clearly and directly, which is the opposite of inferring since it doesn't require reasoning from implied information. Summarizing briefly entails condensing information, yet it does not encapsulate the deductive reasoning process essential to making inferences. Thus, the ability to infer is about creating conclusions from the available information through logical reasoning.