Commonly Confused Words:  infer / imply

Both imply and infer are verbs.
 
Both verbs have to do with the communication of information. 

The difference between the two is that imply refers to giving information, while infer refers to receiving information.

Imply

Imply means to strongly suggest the truth or existence of something that is not expressly stated. 

The speaker, or someone who is giving information, may imply something.

    Example

Infer

Infer means to deduce or conclude information from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statement of that information. 

The listener, or someone who is receiving information, may infer something.

    Example

The following examples clearly show the  difference between the two words:

Remember:

 One who gives information implies. 
                    but
One who receives  information infers.

Link to exercises on imply / infer.