Inspiration vs. Influence — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 4, 2023
Inspiration refers to the process of being mentally or emotionally stimulated to do or feel something creative. Influence is the capacity to have an effect on someone's behavior, thoughts, or decisions.
Difference Between Inspiration and Influence
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Inspiration is often a mental or emotional trigger that sparks creativity, innovation, or action in an individual. It's the "a-ha" moment that drives you to create something new or take a different approach. Influence, on the other hand, is more about the ability to shape or direct someone's actions, decisions, or thoughts through either direct or indirect means.
While inspiration usually serves as a catalyst for creativity or specific actions, influence is more about a sustained impact on someone's life, choices, or behavior. Inspiration is often a self-contained moment or series of moments that push you toward a goal, whereas influence is usually ongoing and can be either positive or negative.
In grammatical terms, both "inspiration" and "influence" function as nouns but can also be used as verbs ("to inspire" and "to influence"). However, "inspiration" is more commonly used to denote a positive impact, while "influence" is neutral and can signify either a positive or negative impact.
Both inspiration and influence can come from various sources, such as people, events, or even pieces of art. An individual might find inspiration in a historical figure while being influenced by their parents' values. The key difference here is that inspiration typically sparks action or creativity, while influence molds or shapes it over time.
Comparison Chart
Core Meaning
Mental or emotional stimulation
Capacity to shape behavior
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Temporal Nature
Often momentary
Usually ongoing
Grammatical Role
Primarily a noun, can be a verb
Primarily a noun, can be a verb
Connotation
Generally positive
Neutral, can be positive or negative
Source
Can be self-generated
Usually external
Compare with Definitions
Inspiration
A catalyst for creative thought or action.
The sunset was her inspiration for the painting.
Influence
The power to shape behavior or decisions.
The media has a strong influence on public opinion.
Inspiration
Emotional or intellectual stimulation.
His courage served as an inspiration to others.
Influence
An impact on someone's character or actions.
Her parents had a positive influence on her.
Inspiration
A sudden insight or innovative idea.
She had a sudden inspiration for a new business venture.
Influence
A power affecting a person, thing, or course of events, especially one that operates without any direct or apparent effort
The pervasive influence that TV has on modern life.
Young people falling under the influence of a radical philosopher.
Inspiration
An uplifting influence that encourages betterment.
His teacher was an inspiration throughout his studies.
Influence
Power to sway or affect based on prestige, wealth, ability, or position
Used her family's influence to get the job.
Inspiration
The origin or source of a creative idea.
The novel's inspiration came from real-life events.
Influence
A person who exerts such power
My parents considered my friend to be a bad influence on me.
Inspiration
The excitement of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity
A singer who found her inspiration in popular songs of the 1920s.
Influence
A determining factor believed by some to affect individual tendencies and characteristics understood to be caused by the positions of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.
Inspiration
The condition of being so excited
Sat down to write in a sudden burst of inspiration.
Influence
Factors believed to be caused by the changing positions of the stars and planets in relation to their positions at the time of one's birth.
Inspiration
The quality of being so excited, as manifested in something
A painting full of inspiration.
Influence
To have an influence on (something); change
A news report that influenced the outcome of the election.
Inspiration
A person or thing that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention
Gandhi has been an inspiration to political reformers for decades.
Influence
To change the behavior or thinking of (someone); sway
Negative ads that are intended to influence voters.
Inspiration
Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired
Had an inspiration and saw a way to solve the problem.
Influence
The power to affect, control or manipulate something or someone; the ability to change the development of fluctuating things such as conduct, thoughts or decisions.
I have absolutely no influence over him.
Inspiration
Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on a human mind or soul.
Influence
An action exerted by a person or thing with such power on another to cause change.
I'm not able to exercise influence over him.
Inspiration
The act of drawing in, especially the inhalation of air into the lungs.
Influence
A person or thing exerting such power or action.
He has been a great influence on the voters during the elections.
Inspiration
The drawing of air into the lungs, accomplished in mammals by elevation of the chest walls and flattening of the diaphragm, as part of the act of respiration.
Influence
(astrology) An element believed to determine someone's character or individual tendencies, caused by the position of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.
Inspiration
(countable) A breath, a single inhalation.
Influence
(obsolete) The action of flowing in; influx.
Inspiration
A supernatural divine influence on the prophets, apostles, or sacred writers, by which they were qualified to communicate moral or religious truth with authority; a supernatural influence which qualifies people to receive and communicate divine truth; also, the truth communicated.
Influence
(electricity) Electrostatic induction.
Inspiration
The act of an elevating or stimulating influence upon the intellect, emotions or creativity.
She was waiting for inspiration to write a book.
Usage notes: In this sense, it may be followed by the adposition to in relation to the person being influenced, and for or to in relation to the idea or activity:
Influence
(transitive) To have an effect on by using gentle or subtle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to persuade or induce.
The politician wants to influence the public.
I must admit that this book influenced my outlook on life.
Inspiration
A person, object, or situation which quickens or stimulates an influence upon the intellect, emotions or creativity.
The trip was an inspiration to her for writing a book.
Influence
(intransitive) To exert, make use of one's influence.
Inspiration
A new idea, especially one which arises suddenly and is clever or creative.
Influence
To cause to flow in or into; infuse; instill.
Inspiration
The act of inspiring or breathing in; breath; specif. (Physiol.), the drawing of air into the lungs, accomplished in mammals by elevation of the chest walls and flattening of the diaphragm; - the opposite of expiration.
Influence
A flowing in or upon; influx.
God hath his influence into the very essence of all things.
Inspiration
The act or power of exercising an elevating or stimulating influence upon the intellect or emotions; the result of such influence which quickens or stimulates; as, the inspiration of occasion, of art, etc.
Your father was ever virtuous, and holy men at their death have good inspirations.
Influence
Hence, in general, the bringing about of an effect, physical or moral, by a gradual process; controlling power quietly exerted; agency, force, or tendency of any kind which affects, modifies, or sways; as, the influence which the sun exerts on animal and vegetable life; the influence of education on the mind; the influence, according to astrologers, of the stars over affairs.
Astrologers call the evil influences of the stars, evil aspects.
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
She said : "Ah, dearest lord! what evil starOn you hath frown'd, and poured, his influence bad?"
Inspiration
A supernatural divine influence on the prophets, apostles, or sacred writers, by which they were qualified to communicate moral or religious truth with authority; a supernatural influence which qualifies men to receive and communicate divine truth; also, the truth communicated.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.
The age which we now live in is not an age of inspiration and impulses.
Influence
Power or authority arising from elevated station, excelence of character or intellect, wealth, etc.; reputation; acknowledged ascendency; as, he is a man of influence in the community.
Such influence hath your excellency.
Inspiration
Arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity
Influence
Induction.
Inspiration
A product of your creative thinking and work;
He had little respect for the inspirations of other artists
After years of work his brainchild was a tangible reality
Influence
To control or move by power, physical or moral; to affect by gentle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to affect; to move; to persuade; to induce.
These experiments succeed after the same manner in vacuo as in the open air, and therefore are not influenced by the weight or pressure of the atmosphere.
This standing revelation . . . is sufficient to influence their faith and practice, if they attend.
The principle which influenced their obedience has lost its efficacy.
Inspiration
A sudden intuition as part of solving a problem
Influence
A power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc;
Used her parents' influence to get the job
Inspiration
(theology) a special influence of a divinity on the minds of human beings;
They believe that the books of Scripture were written under divine guidance
Influence
Causing something without any direct or apparent effort
Inspiration
Arousing to a particular emotion or action
Influence
A cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do;
Her wishes had a great influence on his thinking
Inspiration
The act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing
Influence
The effect of one thing (or person) on another;
The influence of mechanical action
Influence
One having power to influence another;
She was the most important influence in my life
He was a bad influence on the children
Influence
Have and exert influence or effect;
The artist's work influenced the young painter
She worked on her friends to support the political candidate
Influence
Shape or influence; give direction to;
Experience often determines ability
Mold public opinion
Influence
Induce into action by using one's charm;
She charmed him into giving her all his money
Influence
The ability to change outcomes.
His influence secured the deal.
Influence
An affecting presence or force.
The moon has an influence on the tides.
Influence
A guiding or directional effect.
The coach's influence was evident in the team's improved performance.
Common Curiosities
What is Inspiration?
Inspiration is a mental or emotional stimulus that sparks creativity or action.
Can Inspiration be self-generated?
Yes, inspiration can come from within, such as from one's own thoughts or experiences.
Is Inspiration always positive?
Inspiration is generally considered positive as it typically encourages creative or constructive action.
Is Influence always external?
Influence is usually external and comes from other people, events, or circumstances.
Can one person be both an Inspiration and an Influence?
Absolutely, someone can inspire you and also have a lasting influence on your life.
Can you measure Influence?
Influence can sometimes be measured, such as in terms of social media reach or political power.
Can Influence be negative?
Yes, influence can be either positive or negative, depending on its impact.
Can Inspiration come from nature?
Yes, many people find inspiration in natural settings or phenomena.
How do Inspiration and Influence differ?
Inspiration usually sparks creativity or action, while influence shapes it over time.
What is Influence?
Influence is the ability to affect someone's behavior, decisions, or thoughts.
Is Inspiration momentary?
Inspiration is often a brief, intense stimulus, although its effects can last longer.
Can Influence be intentional?
Influence can be both intentional and unintentional.
Is there a verb form for Inspiration?
Yes, "to inspire" is the verb form.
Can Influence be ongoing?
Yes, influence is often a sustained impact over time.
What is the verb form of Influence?
The verb form is "to influence."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
