When to Use Appraise vs. Apprise
appraise: To assess the value or quality of something.
Memory aid: Think apprAIse to Assess value or set a prAIce.
apprise (verb): To inform or tell someone.
Memory aid: Think apprIse to Inform.
We'll have to appraise the house before making an offer.
We need to apprise the team of the new project timeline.
Example is borrowed from the Blue Book of Grammar. To appraise means to “consider or examine somebody/something and form an opinion about it”; also, relatedly, “to officially examine a building, an object, etc. and say how much it is worth”.
To apprise is when we “tell or inform somebody of something”. Its synonyms include words like inform, notify or make (someone/something) aware.
“Appraise” / “apprise”, used in sentences
| Word choice | Example sentences |
|---|---|
| appraise / apprise | |
| appraise |
Her eyes coolly appraised him. She stepped back to appraise her workmanship. The architect gave the building's exterior an appraising glance. |
| apprise |
He saw no reason to apprise the committee of what had happened. We were made fully apprised of the situation. Let me apprise you of where we stand in the discussion. |
Word forms of appraise/apprise
- appraisal — noun
- appraise — verb
- appraisee — noun
- appraiser — noun
- Verb forms: apprises, apprising, apprised
“appraise” versus “apprise”: associate “appraise” with “assessing value” (like appraising a house) and “apprise” with “informing” someone (like apprising them of news or letting them know where things stand in a discussion).
Synonyms, nearby words & word forms
Synonyms for appraise
Synonyms for apprise
Word origins: appraise/apprise
c. 1400, appreisen, “to set a value on,” from stem of Old French aprisier “appraise, set a price on” (14c., Modern French apprécier), from Late Latin appretiare “value, estimate,” from ad “to” + pretium “price”.
“To notify, give notice,” 1690s, from French appris, etymologically “to lay hold of (in the mind),” from Latin apprehendere “take hold of, grasp” mentally or physically.
Worksheet: Word choice
The jeweler will ______ the value of the ring.
Please ______ me of any changes to the schedule.
It is important to ______ the situation before making a decision.
The manager will ______ the team of the new policy.
An expert was called to ______ the painting.
FAQs
Q: What’s the main difference?
A: 'Appraise' = assess value/quality; 'Apprise' = inform someone.
Q: What does 'appraise' mean?
A: To assess the value or quality of something, or to officially examine and state how much it's worth.
Q: What does 'apprise' mean?
A: To inform or tell somebody of something.
Q: How do I remember 'appraise'?
A: Memory aid: Think apprAIse to Assess value or set a prAIce.
Q: How do I remember 'apprise'?
A: Memory aid: Think apprise to Inform.
www.grammarflex.com/appraise-or-apprise-whats-the-difference/
Sources
-
Oxford Learner’s Dictionary on “appraise” and “apprise”. Accessed 11 March 2024. Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of appraise/apprise.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/appraise. Accessed 11 March 2024.
