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Prepositions after verbs

Infer from or by?

The verb "infer" is most commonly followed by from to show the basis of a conclusion. Other prepositions may appear in separate meanings or are not standard direct complements.

Quick answer

Main pattern with infer

Use infer from + evidence, statement, or facts. By may describe the method of inference in a separate phrase. About and for are uncommon directly after infer, and as appears in specific structures such as infer something as something.

We can infer from the data that sales increased.
She inferred from his tone that he was upset.
The conclusion was inferred by researchers after months of study.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
infer from + evidence

Drawing a conclusion from information

From introduces the source of the conclusion.

They inferred from the report that costs would rise.
I inferred from her silence that she disagreed.
2
infer by + method

Describing the method or agent

By may introduce the method or person making the inference, especially in passive structures.

The pattern was inferred by analysts using satellite data.
3
infer as + category

Classifying or interpreting something

As can appear when something is interpreted in a particular way.

The remark was inferred as criticism by some readers.
4
infer about + topic

Limited use with general topics

About may appear before a broad topic, but infer from is usually preferred for evidence.

What can we infer about the author from this passage?

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
infer from
We inferred from the evidence that the device had failed.
Standard pattern for the basis of a conclusion.
infer by
The result was inferred by comparing earlier records.
By introduces method or agent.
infer about
What do you infer about her intentions?
About introduces the topic of the inference.
infer as
His silence was inferred as approval.
As shows interpretation or classification.
infer for
The phrase "infer for" is not standard in this meaning.
For is generally not used directly after infer.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using for after infer

Infer is not normally followed by for.

✕ We inferred for the results that the plan failed. ✓ We inferred from the results that the plan failed.

Confusing infer and imply

Speakers infer; statements imply.

✕ The report inferred that profits were down. ✓ The report implied that profits were down.

Overusing about instead of from

Use from when naming evidence or information.

✕ She inferred about the data that sales rose. ✓ She inferred from the data that sales rose.

Using by as the main evidence marker

By usually introduces method or agent, not the source information.

✓ Researchers inferred from the samples that the water was polluted.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. We inferred ___ the evidence that the claim was false.
2. The pattern was inferred ___ scientists using computer models.
3. What can you infer ___ the character from this chapter?

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Frequently asked questions

Is infer from the standard pattern?

Yes. Infer from is the most common way to express the basis for a conclusion.

Can infer be followed by about?

Yes, especially when asking what conclusion relates to a topic, as in infer about the character.

Is infer for correct?

Usually no. Modern English does not normally use infer for in this meaning.

identify-with-by-in-as, for "ignore by" or "ignore in"? illuminate by, with, at, for or in? "illustrate by" or "illustrate in"? "imagine for", "imagine by" or "imagine in"? imbue with, in, by or onto? immigrate to, from, in, with or into? impair by, for, in, because or throughout? "impart to", "impart in" or "impart by"? "impeach by" or "impeach for"? "impinge on" or "impinge upon"? "implement in" or "implement by"?

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