Fundamentals · Activity 1

Spot the Inference

Inferences are the "moves" at the heart of every argument.

What is an argument?

A Defense of a Claim

In logic, an argument is what we call it any time someone gives a reason for a claim. If you say X is true because Y, that's an argument. It has two main ingredients: the reason or reasons offered (called premises) and the thing being supported (the conclusion).

The move from premise to conclusion is called an inference.

Premise(s)
The reason(s) given
INFERENCE
Conclusion
The claim supported

Words that signal an inference

Writers use certain words to signal that an inference is being made — that a conclusion is coming. Thus is one of them.

Example

She has kept every promise she has ever made and has never once been caught in a lie. Thus, she is someone you can trust.

The word thus signals that what follows — she is someone you can trust — is the conclusion being defended. What comes before is the premise: the reason offered in its support.

There are many other words and phrases that work the same way. In the game, your job is to find them. Click any word or phrase you think is signaling a conclusion. You'll find out right away if you're right — and why.

Watch out: some words signal premises instead. The feedback will help you tell them apart.

0 / 10
0Found
0Missed
1Sentence

Indicators Found
Indicators Missed

What you discovered

Conclusion indicator words

These are the words and phrases that signal a conclusion — and an inference — is being made. You encountered all of them in the game.

thus therefore hence so consequently it follows that for these reasons due to this as a result

Premise indicators you also saw

These signal a reason is coming — they point toward a premise, not a conclusion.

because since given that

Indicator words are a helpful tool to know, but warning: not all arguments have them.