Inferring: Making an educated guess
Definition: Inferring is the process of drawing a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning, even though the conclusion is not explicitly stated. It involves using your existing knowledge and understanding to fill in the gaps and make logical connections.
Example:
Imagine you're walking down the street and see a person walking their dog. The dog is wearing a bright yellow raincoat and boots.
What can you infer?
* It's probably raining. You infer this because dogs don't typically wear raincoats and boots unless it's wet outside.
* The owner cares about their dog's comfort. You infer this because they've gone to the effort of getting the dog rain gear.
* The dog might be small. You infer this because the raincoat and boots are likely sized for a smaller dog.
In short, you're using the evidence (dog wearing rain gear) and your own knowledge (dogs don't usually wear raincoats) to draw a conclusion (it's probably raining).
Key takeaways:
* Inferring is about making logical connections based on evidence.
* It's not about guessing randomly, but about using your understanding and knowledge to draw a likely conclusion.
* Inferring can be applied to many situations, from reading a book to understanding social cues.