Question

what does inference mean. ( although I know how to use it in a sentence: He made an inference based on the context clues.)

Answer 1

Inference means to draw conclusions from what one observes. ...

Answer 2

Inference means deduce or derive some conclusion from the given data (facts) and known axioms and assumption. We use some logic and reasoning method in inferring some thing.

Hindus go to temple.  Rama goes to temple.
From the above facts, I do infer or I draw an inference that : Rama is a Hindu.

Hindus go to temple.  Rama is a Hindu.
From the above two facts, I infer that Rama goes to temple.