# inference vs influence

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### inference
*noun · IPA /ˈɪn.fə.ɹəns/ · frequency rank #20,963*
The act or process of inferring by deduction or induction.

### influence
*noun · IPA /ˈɪn.flu.əns/ · frequency rank #1,725*
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.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inference-vs-influence