What Are You Inferring or Implying?

It's not uncommon for some people

To misuse the words INFER and IMPLY.

I don't know if I can clearly

Explain the difference, but I will try.

When we want to IMPLY something,

We have a point that we want to convey;

However, we merely hint at it.

We're NOT direct in what we say.

 

You say, "Your pants are getting tighter."

There's SOMETHING there that you have IMPLIED:

The implication that I am gaining

Weight cannot be denied.

 

Of course, that's a case that is

Extremely sensitive despite

Whether you merely HINT that I

Am getting fat or say it OUTRIGHT.

 

I say, "I can INFER from what

You're saying that I am putting on pounds."

You say, "No, I meant that maybe

Your pants have shrunk, strange as it sounds."

 

(That's what we call an attempt at a save--

At times it will work, at times it won't.

Here's my advice in case you want

To IMPLY a sensitive matter: DON'T!

 

But there is a chance that you might intend

To be mean or rude in what you're implying.

Among politicians such

Tactics are intensifying.)

 

INFER means to draw a conclusion

Based on someone's hint or suggestion,

Whether it's put in the form of a statement

Or even more subtly posed as a question.

 

Therefore, you can INFER a meaning

From something that I have IMPLIED to you.

You might INFER that I like sharing

Grammar and usage. Yes, that's true.

 

-by Bob B (10-10-21)