✅ Conclude and infer both mean to determine something by using logic, or by observing evidence (He concluded from the pile of mail that his neighbors were on vacation; Her tone of voice led me to infer she was upset).

✅ Conclude generally suggests a strongly supported conclusion (We concluded from the hundreds of bad reviews that it would be best to go to dinner elsewhere).

✅ Infer can also refer to determining something based on reasoning or evidence, but more often involves some element of guesswork or supposition (From her letter I inferred that she had some bad news to share when she came home).

✅ Infer has been used for centuries to mean to hint or suggest, although some say that it shouldn’t be used this way, and we should use imply instead.

Based on the fact that you’ve read this far, we’re going to infer that you want to check out these synonyms.

✅ Indicate and imply both mean to suggest something without stating it directly (His expression indicated his frustration; Her tone implied she thought I had stolen the last piece of cake).

✅ However, indicate can also mean to state something directly, but in a brief way (Her letter indicated that she would visit on Monday).

✅ Imply suggests an indirectly stated meaning in words, tones of voice, or expressions, that might or might not be obvious (I wasn’t sure what he was implying when he asked about my background\).

Practice implying different nuances with the help of these synonyms.

✅ Trace refers to a very small amount of something. It can refer to a small amount of a concrete thing, or of an emotion or something similar (a trace of sadness in her tone; There was just a trace of salt in the food).

✅ Scintilla refers to an especially minute particle of something (I felt a scintilla of regret).

✅ Trace generally suggests small particles like those that are left behind when something has been removed, whereas scintilla suggests a single particle.

✅ Scintilla is a much more unusual word than trace.

Write about a time you didn’t leave behind even a scintilla of cake with the help of Grammar Coach.