7 Differences Between Ne and Ni Users

This is our third installment in a series. It all began with 11 Differences Between Te and Ti Users, which gained some traffic, prompting us to write 11 Differences Between Si and Se Users. After this one, we’ll just have the feeling functions left. Anyway, as before, this article will be dedicated to explaining the differences between Ni and Ne, specifically high use. In other words, I’m writing this article with the dominant and auxiliary users in mind, which means the INXJs, ENXJs, INXPs, and ENXPs. Before I go on, though, make sure you check out Introverted Perceiving Functions (Ni/Si) and Extraverted Perceiving Functions (Ne/Se) if you haven’t already to read general overviews of Ni and Ne.

12/12/2021 Update: If you’re interested in reading the final article from this series, be sure to check out 8 Differences Between Fi and Fe.

Shared Characteristics

The intuition functions are not as similar as people seem to think. Certainly, there are some similarities. They tend to prioritize concepts or ideas, and present a general desire to read between the lines and see deeper or hidden meaning. However, the two functions are incredibly distinct from each other. The ENTJs we know act completely different from the ENTPs. The INTJs we know act completely from the INTPs. …We could go on, but it would get redundant. Hopefully this article can help you learn how to distinguish the two types of intuition, whether in yourself or others.  As a quick note, the specific Typing Dilemmas that we have covered in relationship to this subject are Am I an INTJ or an INTP? and 4 Differences Between INFJs and INFPs, in case you want to hop over to those next.

7 Differences Between Ne and Ni Users

1. Ne shares information, while Ni gathers information

Extraverted functions are used to interact with the external world. They tend to be the most visible functions, and thus the most easy to spot when typing someone. Ne is no exception. Ne has to externalize their ideas or speculation. This can happen through conversation (in person or online), or via starting another project to demonstrate a concept. Regardless, that externalization will happen. Ne users are known for excelling at poetic language, when they want to, and connecting seemingly unconnected ideas together. Their Si will see small similarities in things and use those to springboard to a brand new idea. A pun is a good simplistic example of this. (Note: for the record, those who produce the really cringy puns tend to be low Ne users. Ergo, this is a HIGHLY SIMPLISTIC example.) Essentially, a pun connects two meanings into one word based on phonetics rather than logic. They’re highly random and unexpected, but not without a concrete basis. That is the essence of Ne.

Ni is introverted; ergo, it’s primary function is to internalize or gather information. Ni users see the concrete information, or what is, via Se. However, that sensory information gets internalized into impressions and patterns. Ni users essentially have an internal database of abstract information, which is why Ni users are known for struggling to verbalize their thoughts, but more on that later. Since it’s an introverted function, Ni will be more hidden and thus more difficult to spot. Ni information is subjective, due to being a user’s interpretation of sensory information. (As a general rule, all introverted functions are subjective.) Ni users won’t necessarily feel compelled to share their Ni data with the world; it will be used for them to suggest outcomes or spot hidden meaning. They will be interested in perspectives and viewpoints, so they can gain an understanding of the larger picture.

2. Ne is a broad spectrum of external possibilities, while Ni is one internal conclusion

Ne users are the idea people, the brainstormers. They’re the “what-if” people. They see the world for all of its possibilities, which subsequently means that they may struggle to settle on one, resulting in a state of indecision or failure to fully commit to any one thing. Although, those with a developed judging function will struggle with this less, but they will still notice their need to weed through all of the options and possibilities, which may make them slower to come to certain types of decisions.

Ni users tend to naturally draw one conclusion, or see only one possibility. They’ll essentially jump to a conclusion, or interpret the information around them (Se) in one very specific way. Ni operates (or draws conclusions) much faster than those on the Ne/Si axis. However, not sifting through all of possibilities, while faster, is not without its risks. Ni used well can be eerily accurate, but Ni without a well enough developed “internal database” of patterns can end up way off the mark. We’ve seen both.

3. Ne may view Ni as narrow-minded, while Ni may view Ne as lacking focus

These will be points of frustration for the varying users. Ne users are natural brainstormers. As mentioned, they tend to excel at producing ideas or possibilities. However, Ni users who are trying to narrow the scope to one conclusion may find their abundance of ideas or possibilities to be distracting or irrelevant. However, in contrast, Ne users may see Ni users as ignoring their ideas or excluding very real possibilities. They’ll essentially get frustrated with an Ni user’s tunnel vision.

4. Ne knows a little about a lot, while Ni knows a lot about a little

As a reminder, this is a tendency, not a rule. However, all Ne users have Si in their cognitive function stack, and those with Si in their stack tend to be good at producing random facts due to Si’s concrete memory storage. They tend to be known for being good at trivia. They usually gather a broad spectrum of information covering a variety of topics.

In contrast, Ni users prefer to delve deep into specific topics that either interest them or they deem useful. They’ll know a lot about whatever they have researched, but they won’t be as prone to producing random facts. They’ll likely see trivia, in that way, as useless information, or wasted brain space.

5. Ne is more impulsive, while Ni users prefer structure or planning

Forgive us as we go term wild here, but this is an extraverted perceiving (Pe) versus introverted perceiving (Pi) point. Basically, all Pe users, whether Se or Ne, are good at reacting to or dealing with new information immediately. They will prioritize reaction (Pe) over intake/storage (Pi). Pi users store information and then use their extraverted judging function (Je) to make an external decision based on it. This process takes more time, and ergo, they prefer to plan for their “spontaneity” since a bunch of new information in the form of situations can be overwhelming to deal with. All Pe users tend to naturally be better at going with the flow, and dealing with things as they come. They’re more likely to suffer from a failure to plan because they acted too quickly. Ne users will appear generally more impulsive or chaotic than Ni users, while Ni users will probably appear more purposeful or inflexible.

6. Ne is good at producing words, while Ni struggles to verbalize thoughts

First off, both of these types may view themselves as struggling to communicate, but there’s a distinction between the two. Ne users tend to be good at producing words, but they may get frustrated because they feel like their point is not getting relayed adequately. So, they’ll keep throwing out more words, in an attempt to refine or correct what they are saying.

Ni users will not do this. They’re more likely to get stuck right from the beginning, and may find themselves struggling to verbalize their thoughts at all. They may have to ponder for a long period of time to find a way to put words to their thoughts. This is due to them internalizing information with an abstract function, in contrast to the Ne users who are internalizing with a concrete function (Si).

7. Ne gets distracted and follows rabbit trails, while Ni may fail to provide context

Conversations with Ne users can easily give away their Ne. They tend to cover a variety of subjects in a short period of time. They’ll make leaps between subjects, that may seem odd or eclectic, but should be somewhat traceable. When giving lectures, they may be prone to letting their point get delayed or completely derailed as they end up on some side trail that was initially relevant or connected, but may no longer be. (At least, not to that depth, anyway).

In comparison, Ni users will tend to laser focus on one thing. They’ll want to share only what is absolutely relevant. However, their Ni may not realize what context everyone else is missing, and ergo they may not provide enough. They also may have a tendency to produce statements completely out of the blue, with absolutely no context attached. Or perhaps, they’ll produce statements that refer back to something that was brought up earlier, that they’ve been mulling over this whole time, unbeknownst to everyone else.