Inference

English

Definition

A logical conclusion drawn by combining evidence from the text with the reader's own background knowledge. Inference means reading between the lines to understand what the author implies but does not directly state.

Examples

  • A character packs a suitcase and looks sadly around the room — you infer they are leaving for good
  • An author describes a town with boarded-up shops and empty streets — you infer economic decline
  • A narrator says "She didn't look up when he entered" — you infer tension between the characters

Related Terms

Context clues Textual evidence Evidence and reasoning Main idea

Study This Concept

Practice inference with free review games in these units:

AP English Language Unit 4: Reading Comprehension