imply, infer
Proper diction requires an understanding of words that are commonly confused. Understanding grammar errors can make it easier to identify and avoid them.
The verb "infer" means "to draw a conclusion based on given information."
The verb "imply" means "to indicate without making a direct statement."
Although she never states that she does not like her brother, the author implies in her book that they did not have a good relationship.
The reader can infer that the relationship between the author and her brother was not good.
Readers and listeners — people who receive information — infer and make inferences.
Writers and speakers — people who give information — imply and make implications.
In the sample sentence, an author is said to infer something in her writing. This is incorrect. An author implies something in her writing; readers infer something from what they read.
