He warned me that I was basing my conclusions on a negative inference.

This gave West an important negative inference in leading to six hearts.

There was a strong negative inference, therefore, that West held the heart queen, and the slam came home.

"If people refuse, no negative inference will be drawn," she said.

Vehicle owners do not have to testify, but administrative judges are allowed to draw a negative inference from an owner's silence.

The move would allow judges to draw negative inferences against defendants who refuse to talk to the police or to the courts.

The judge drew a negative inference from this silence and said it could add strength to the Crown's case.

Instead she had drawn a fine negative inference.

No one should draw any negative inference from our declining comment.

Careful counting plus a negative inference provides the answer.