INFER vs. IMPLY

Communication consists of a message, a sender, and a receiver.

The sender can imply, but the receiver can only infer.

Remember this easy rule: "imply" rhymes with "I." Therefore, "I imply" but "you infer."

WRONG:  Are you inferring that I lied?

RIGHT:   Are you implying that I lied?

          If someone gets the idea from your behavior that you are not telling the truth, then he is inferring that you are a liar. But if he is subtly letting you know that he thinks so, then he is implying that you are a liar. You, of course, can infer from his implication that he thinks you are a liar.

IMPLY = to put the suggestion into the message (sender implies)

INFER = to take the suggestion out of the message (receiver infers)

IMPLICATION = what the sender has implied

INFERENCE = what the receiver has inferred

1) The facts (imply/infer) that Frank took the object.

a) imply
b) infer

2) Do you (imply/infer) from what was said that we have any chance?

a) imply
b) infer

3) What other (inference/implication) is possible?

a) inference
b) implication

4) They are concerned that the (implication/inference) will be that they were at fault.

a) implication
b) inference

5) It is reassuring to learn that you have drawn the (implication/inference) that Terry could not have been responsible.

a) implication
b) inference

6) What do you (imply/infer) from his remarks?

a) imply
b) infer

Counter-intuitive: contrary to common sense —even foolish!

Where are many popular counter-intuitive statements, regarded as great wisdom and truth?

Biblical authors (especially Jesus and Paul) frequently utilize a special form of instruction called paradox to communicate God’s “counter-intuitive wisdom.”

“So the last will be first, and the first last.”

“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

“Give, and you will receive. A large quantity, pressed together, shaken down, and running over will be put into your pocket. The standards you use for others will be applied to you."

G. K. Chesterton defined biblical paradox as “truth standing on her head to attract attention.” Paradoxical statements arrest our attention because of their apparent contradiction—and motivate us to resolve the contradiction by learning and reflection.

NOTE: Biblical paradox is very different from Zen Buddhist koan paradoxes. These statements seek to deliver us from rationality as a precondition to spiritual enlightenment. Biblical paradox presumes rationality (including the law of non-contradiction) and affirms it as integral to spirituality.

Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary (1976): A koan is “a paradox to be meditated upon that is used to train Zen Buddhist monks to abandon ultimate dependence on reason and to force them into gaining a sudden intuitive enlightenment.”

Happy Spring!

I hope this clip puts a smile on your face!
http://www.wimp.com/babyhummingbird/

Our hearts and prayers go to the people of Japan!

Pray!

A prayer by John Piper, occasioned by the earthquake in Japan – 11th March 2011

Father in heaven, you are the absolute Sovereign over the shaking of the earth, the rising of the sea, and the raging of the waves. We tremble at your power and bow before your unsearchable judgments and inscrutable ways. We cover our faces and kiss your omnipotent hand. We fall helpless to the floor in prayer and feel how fragile the very ground is beneath our knees.
O God, we humble ourselves under your holy majesty and repent. In a moment—in the twinkling of an eye—we too could be swept away. We are not more deserving of firm ground than our fellowmen in Japan. We too are flesh. We have bodies and homes and cars and family and precious places. We know that if we were treated according to our sins, who could stand? All of it would be gone in a moment. So in this dark hour we turn against our sins, not against you.
And we cry for mercy for Japan. Mercy, Father. Not for what they or we deserve. But mercy.
Grant, O God, that the wicked will forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Grant us, your sinful creatures, to return to you, that you may have compassion. For surely you will abundantly pardon. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus, your beloved Son, will be saved.
Deal tenderly now, Father, with this fragile people. Woo them. Win them. Save them.
O let them not judge you with feeble sense, but trust you for your grace.
In Jesus’ merciful name, Amen.



PS John Piper was one of professors in college. He is now a pastor in Minnesota. Check out his website:  http://www.desiringgod.org/

"Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."

Benjamin Franklin was among the first to suggest the idea of daylight savings time. In a 1784 essay he wrote that adjusting the clocks in the spring could be a good way to save on candles.
During World War I, many countries started adjusting their clocks during part of the year. The idea was to try to adjust daylight hours in the summer to more closely match the hours that people are awake. During World War I, the goal was to conserve fuel by lowering the need for artificial light. 
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandated that  now DST begins at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday of March and ends at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November.
Incidentally, states do not have to comply with the act and, in fact, two states, Arizona and Hawaii, do not.

When or while?

Warning: Answers follow!

Combine the two sentences into one sentence by creating an adverbial clause with when or while.  (answers are at the bottom)

1.  I was making dinner.   My sister was watching television.
2. We were watching the movie called "King Kong".   A friend came over.
3. We were watching the movie.  We were laughing about its unlikely plot.
4. The the movie ended. We turned off the TV.
5. I was talking on the phone.  My friend was reading magazines.
6.   My friend stood up to leave.  It was midnight.
7. He touched the door knob.    We heard a thud on the roof. 
8. He looked at me. I said, "King Kong?"
9. He opened the front door.   We saw nothing but leaves and branches.

Answer:

 - While I was making dinner, my sister was watching television.

- We were watching the movie called "King Kong" when a friend came over.

- While we were watching the movie, we were laughing about its unlikely plot .

- When the movie ended, we turned off the TV.

- While I was talking on the phone, my friend was reading magazines.

- My friend stood up to leave when it was midnight.

- When he touched the doorknob, we heard a thud on the roof.

- When he looked at me, I said, "King Kong?"

- We saw nothing but leaves and branches when he opened the front door.

A broom tree?! 
In our driveway!

And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” I Kings 19:5

1. I could work on Saturdays.
2. I must work on Saturdays.
3. I need to work on Saturdays.
4. I have to work on Saturdays.
5. I mustn't work on Saturdays.
6. I couldn't work on Saturdays.
7. I don't have to work on Saturdays.
8. I shouldn't work on Saturdays.
9. I should work on Saturdays.
10. I might work on Saturdays.

Match the above with their meaning:

1. It's absolutely necessary for me to work on Saturdays.
2. It's absolutely necessary for me to work on Saturdays and someone forces me to do so.
3. I'm unable to work on Saturdays.
4. It isn't necessary for me to work on Saturdays.
5. It's possible for me to work on Saturdays.
6. It's important for me to work on Saturdays.
7. It's a good idea for me to work on Saturdays.
8. It's forbidden for me to work on Saturdays.
9. It isn't a good idea for me to work on Saturdays.
10. It's a possibility that I might work on Saturdays.

A clue for the cuckoo clock puzzle!

Don't give up trying to figure this out! We must keep our minds strong!!!
And Congratulations to Grace in China! She is the first to solve the puzzle!!!


John Jones bought his clock in Zurich!

While or When?

1. _____________ he was talking on the phone, I was watching TV.
while
when

2. He might have been canceling his flight ______ we called him.
while
when

3. I was overtaking a truck ______ I heard a loud thump.
   while
   when

4. We were watching a movie _____ the screen went blank.
while
when

5. ________ she was packing the bags, I was looking for our passports.
while
when

6. We were complaining about the weather __________ the sun broke through the clouds.
while
when

7. Mike was washing the dishes _________ a plate fell off the shelf.
while
when 

 

When

• He was talking on the phone when I arrived.
• When she called, he had already eaten lunch.
• I washed the dishes when my daughter fell asleep.
• We'll go to lunch when you come to visit.
  

'When' means 'at that moment, at that time, etc.'. Notice the different tenses used in relationship to the clause beginning with when. It is important to remember that 'when' takes either the simple past OR the present - the dependent clause changes tense in relation to the 'when' clause.
 

While, as

• She began cooking while I was finishing my homework.
• As I was finishing my homework, she began cooking.

'While' and 'as' mean 'during that time'. 'While' and 'as' are both usually used with the past continuous because the meaning of 'during that time' which indicates an action in progress.