Definitions

Imply: It means to say something without actually saying it. Infer: It means to conclude something based on the information received.

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Use of Imply

When you suggest something indirectly, you imply. His frown implied that he is upset with the decision. Here, the person’s frown suggests his disagreement with the decision. It is not a deduction but a mere hint that is given away by the action of frowning.

Use of Infer

When you draw a conclusion based on your understanding of various pieces of information, you infer. Since a deduction is made out of a given message, the preposition from is commonly used along with infer.

Use of Imply & Infer in  Academic Writing

Incorrect: Studies showed that the conversion was sensitive to viscosity, thus inferring that the largest barrier is substrate binding. Correct: Studies showed that the conversion was sensitive to viscosity, implying that the largest barrier is substrate binding.

Incorrect: From these results, we imply that cycle 23 should be above average in size. Correct: From these results, we infer that cycle 23 should be above average in size. Studies cannot infer; they indirectly point to some information or make a suggestion. Hence, imply should be used in the first example.

In this second sentence, the authors are not making a suggestion but are presenting a conclusion based on the recorded results.  Hence, infer should be used here. One who suggests or gives information, implies. One who concludes from or receives information, infers.

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