Year 3 English Reading

Inferring

Reading between the lines — working out what the author means from clues in the text, even when it's not directly stated.

What is an inference?

An inference is a conclusion you reach by combining clues in the text with what you already know. The author doesn't tell you directly — you have to work it out. This is called "reading between the lines."

The formula

Clues in the text
+
What I already know
=
My inference

Example

"Maya slammed her book shut, crossed her arms, and stared at the wall."

The author never says Maya is angry, but you can infer it from the clues: slamming a book, crossed arms, and staring at a wall are all signs of frustration or anger.

Clue words

Look for:

Character actions and body language
Descriptions of the setting
Dialogue (what characters say)
What is NOT said (the gap)

Key Vocabulary

infer / inference — work out something not directly stated, using clues

implied — suggested or hinted at without being said directly

evidence — words or details in the text that support your inference

reading between the lines — finding meaning that is not explicitly written

Practice Passage

"Liam pulled his coat tightly around himself as he stepped outside. Dark clouds hung low in the sky, and the air smelled like wet earth. He glanced at the fence and saw the puddles that had formed along the footpath. He decided to take the long way to school — the path that had less mud."

Use this passage for Questions 1 and 2.

Lesson Summary

✓An inference is a conclusion about something the author has NOT directly stated.
✓Use the formula: text clues + background knowledge = inference.
✓Look for clues in: character actions, body language, dialogue, and setting descriptions.
✓Always base your inference on evidence from the text — not just guessing.