Appraise vs. Apprise: Understanding the Difference
Many English learners (and even native speakers) confuse appraise and apprise. These two verbs look and sound very similar, but they have completely different meanings. Mixing them up can cause misunderstandings, especially in professional or academic writing.
In this guide, you will learn the clear difference between appraise and apprise, how to use each word correctly, and how to remember which one to choose.
What Does “Appraise” Mean?
Appraise means to evaluate, assess, or determine the value of something. It is often used when talking about money, performance, quality, or importance.
In simple terms, appraise = to judge or evaluate.
Common Situations Where “Appraise” Is Used
- Determining the value of a house or property
- Evaluating an employee’s performance
- Assessing the quality of something
- Judging a situation carefully
Examples of “Appraise” in Sentences
The bank hired an expert to appraise the value of the house.
At the end of the year, managers appraise their employees’ performance.
The jeweler appraised the diamond at $5,000.
She carefully appraised the risks before making a decision.
Notice that in each example, someone is evaluating or judging something.
What Does “Apprise” Mean?
Apprise means to inform someone about something. It is usually followed by the preposition of.
In simple terms, apprise = to tell or inform.
Common Structure with “Apprise”
The most common pattern is:
apprise + someone + of + information
Examples of “Apprise” in Sentences
Please apprise me of any changes to the schedule.
The manager apprised the team of the new company policies.
She promised to apprise him of the results.
We will apprise you of further developments.
In all these examples, someone is giving information to someone else.
Key Differences Between Appraise and Apprise
The difference is simple once you focus on meaning:
- Appraise = evaluate or assess
- Apprise = inform or tell
Comparison Table
| Word | Meaning | Common Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appraise | To evaluate or determine value | Appraise + object | The expert appraised the painting. |
| Apprise | To inform someone | Apprise + someone + of + something | She apprised him of the news. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using “Appraise” When You Mean “Inform”
Incorrect:
Please appraise me of the latest updates.
Correct:
Please apprise me of the latest updates.
Remember: you apprise a person, but you appraise a thing.
2. Forgetting “Of” After “Apprise”
Incorrect:
She apprised me the situation.
Correct:
She apprised me of the situation.
In most cases, apprise needs of.
Easy Memory Tricks
Here are two simple tricks to help you remember the difference:
Memory Trick #1: Look at the Middle Letters
- Appraise has “praise” in it. When you praise something, you are giving it a positive evaluation. Think: evaluate.
- Apprise sounds like “surprise.” When you surprise someone, you give them information. Think: inform.
Memory Trick #2: Person vs. Thing
- You appraise a thing (house, car, performance).
- You apprise a person (me, her, the team).
Formal Usage and Tone
Both appraise and apprise are considered somewhat formal. In everyday conversation, people often use simpler words:
- Instead of appraise, people say evaluate or assess.
- Instead of apprise, people say inform or tell.
For example:
The teacher evaluated the students’ work. (more common than “appraised”)
Please inform me of any changes. (more common than “apprise”)
However, in business letters, legal writing, or formal reports, you may still see appraise and apprise.
Quick Summary
- Appraise means to evaluate or assess value.
- Apprise means to inform someone about something.
- Use appraise for things.
- Use apprise for people (usually with “of”).
- Both words are more common in formal English.
Conclusion
Although appraise and apprise look very similar, their meanings are quite different. One is about evaluating; the other is about informing. Understanding this distinction will help you write more clearly and professionally.
When you are unsure, ask yourself: “Am I judging something, or am I telling someone something?” The answer will guide you to the correct word.
With practice and attention, you can easily master this commonly confused word pair.