A theory of semantic change proposed by Elizabeth Closs Traugott in order to address regularities in semantic change resulting in grammaticalization. This theory is called the Invited Inferencing Theory of Semantic Change because its main claim is that the form-meaning reanalysis that characterises grammaticalization arises as a result of situated language use. In other words, this approach assumes that semantic change is usage-based in nature.

Traugott argues that pragmatic meaning or inferences that arise in specific contexts come to be reanalyzed as part of the conventional meaning associated with a given construction (1). Inferences of this kind are invited, in the sense that they are suggested by the context.