Last time, you learned to separate facts from assumptions. Now let's explore what happens when your mind takes that next step.

When you encounter facts, your brain doesn't just store them. It starts connecting dots and drawing tentative ideas.

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What do you think happens when you see multiple related facts?

Meet the inference: a tentative idea based on limited information. When you notice dark clouds and think "it might rain," that's an inference.

Inferences are your brain's first attempts to make sense of facts. They're helpful but uncertain.

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Can you think of an inference you made today?

Now meet the conclusion: a definitive statement you've decided is true. "It's definitely going to rain" sounds much more certain than "it might rain."

The difference? Conclusions feel final. Inferences feel tentative.

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How would you describe that difference in your own words?

Here's why this matters: people often jump straight from facts to conclusions, skipping the inference stage entirely.

Fact: "Sales dropped 15%." Conclusion: "The marketing campaign failed." But what about the inference: "Marketing might be one factor"?

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What problems could this jumping create?

Consider this scenario: Your teammate missed two meetings this week.

Inference: "They might be overwhelmed with work." Conclusion: "They don't care about the project."

Notice how the inference stays open to other possibilities?

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What other inferences could explain the missed meetings?

The magic happens when you slow down between facts and conclusions. Ask yourself: "What am I inferring here? What else could explain this?"

This pause prevents costly mistakes and opens better conversations.

Next time, we'll map this entire thinking process step by step.

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Ready to practice spotting the difference?

Type

Swipe Left or Right

Practice Question

Classify each statement as either a tentative inference or a definitive conclusion. Swipe based on how certain each statement sounds.

Labels

• Left Label: Inference
• Right Label: Conclusion

Left Label Items

• She might be stressed about the deadline
• This could indicate a system problem
• Perhaps the data needs more analysis
• It seems like customers prefer option A

Right Label Items

• The project will definitely fail
• He's clearly not interested in the role
• This proves our hypothesis is wrong
• The solution is obviously more training