To infer and to argue are two very important cognitive and linguistic processes. Although distinct, these processes present convergent points, which indicate the existence of a relationship between them. Without going into conceptually non-authorized approximations, and preserving the particularities of the two processes, the present paper attempted to indicate some of the convergent points between inferring and arguing. These points, rather than being discrete and independent elements, are characterised by a set of continuous and interdependent elements which complement each other, namely: the involvement of premises and conclusions, the situational nature, the dialogical nature and (iv) the prediction. The main aim of the paper was to reflect upon aspects which will be of interest to academics of the field of argumentation and to those dealing with text comprehension, and especially to those concerned with human cognition in general.
inference; argument; convergent points