What is the Difference Between Appraise and Apprise?
Many English learners and even fluent speakers often get confused between appraise and apprise. The confusion is understandable.
These two words sound similar, share a common root, and appear in formal settings like business, education, law, and communication.
But they mean completely different things. Understanding the difference is important not just for clear communication but also to avoid embarrassing mistakes, especially in professional environments. So, what does each word mean? Let us break it down.
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What Does “Appraise” Mean?
“Appraise” is a verb that means to evaluate the worth, quality, or condition of something. It is commonly used in finance, real estate, performance reviews, and quality assessments. When you appraise something, you are judging it to determine its value or importance.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary and current linguistic studies from Stanford and Oxford as of July 2025, the verb appraise has retained its original Latin root meaning “to value or estimate.” In modern contexts, it is used across economics, management, and educational evaluations.
Examples of “Appraise” in Use
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The real estate agent came to appraise the property before it went on the market.
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At the end of each quarter, managers appraise the team’s performance to identify areas for improvement.
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Before donating the painting, she asked an expert to appraise it for insurance purposes.
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The company hired a consultant to appraise its digital infrastructure and recommend updates.
As you can see in these examples, appraise always involves judging or assessing something tangible or intangible. It often leads to a report, estimate, or evaluation summary.
What Does “Apprise” Mean?
Now let us turn to apprise. This verb means to inform or notify someone. It is used when you want to give someone information or updates, particularly in formal or official contexts.
The word is based on the French root apprendre, meaning “to learn,” and its usage is often seen in legal and managerial communications.
Modern usage data collected in 2024–2025 by the University of Michigan shows that apprise is steadily growing in formal writing, especially in business emails and government reports.
Examples of “Apprise” in Use
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Please apprise me of any changes to the schedule by Friday morning.
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The legal team was apprised of the latest court developments before the meeting.
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He promised to apprise the board of directors about the findings.
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As your supervisor, it is my duty to apprise you of the disciplinary procedure.
From these examples, you can see that apprise always involves communication or information transfer. It focuses on the action of informing, not judging or evaluating.
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Can You Use Appraise and Apprise Interchangeably?
Absolutely not. Even though the words look and sound similar, they cannot replace each other in sentences. One is about evaluating while the other is about informing. Using them incorrectly can make your writing or speech unclear or even misleading.
Let us look at how a simple mistake could confuse the meaning.
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Please appraise me of the new policy updates.
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This is incorrect. You are not asking someone to evaluate you. You want information.
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Please apprise me of the new policy updates.
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This is correct. You are asking to be informed.
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How Can You Remember the Difference Between Appraise and Apprise?
Many language instructors and researchers suggest using mnemonic tools. Here is a useful one:
| Word | Meaning | Tip to Remember |
|---|---|---|
| Appraise | Evaluate or assess | Think: Appraisal of a house |
| Apprise | Inform or notify | Think: Keep me apprised = informed |
These clues help anchor each word’s meaning to real-life contexts.
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What Fields Use These Words Most Frequently?
Understanding the common usage contexts can also help you choose the right word:
| Word | Common Fields | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|
| Appraise | Real estate, finance, HR, education | Valuation, performance reviews, assessments |
| Apprise | Business, legal, government, military | Reports, notifications, status updates |
Why Is It Important to Use the Correct Word?
A 2025 study by Harvard’s School of Communication found that word misuse in professional emails reduced reader comprehension by up to 18 percent.
Another paper from the University of Chicago confirmed that precision in word choice leads to stronger credibility and reduced confusion in both academic and business settings.
So, if you work in a setting where formal writing or verbal clarity matters, using “appraise” instead of “apprise” or vice versa can weaken your credibility.
FAQs on Appraise vs Apprise
1. What is the simple difference between “appraise” and “apprise”?
“Appraise” means to evaluate something. “Apprise” means to inform someone.
2. Can you say “please appraise me of the situation”?
No. That is incorrect. You should say “please apprise me of the situation” because you are asking to be informed, not evaluated.
3. Is “keep me apprised” correct English?
Yes. “Keep me apprised” is a formal way to say “keep me informed.” It is used in emails, reports, and meetings.
4. Do these words have noun forms?
“Appraise” has the noun “appraisal,” which is a report or result of evaluation. “Apprise” does not commonly have a noun form. Instead, you would say “notification” or “update.”
5. What is an appraisal interview?
This is a formal meeting where a person’s work or performance is assessed, usually done by a manager or supervisor. It has nothing to do with “apprise.”
Final Comparison Table for Clarity
| Feature | Appraise | Apprise |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Evaluate, judge, assess | Inform, notify |
| Example Context | House appraisal, job performance | Status updates, reports |
| Word Type | Action verb | Action verb |
| Common Confusion | Confused with "apprise" | Confused with "appraise" |
| Memory Tip | Appraisal = valuation | Apprise = information |
| Professional Use | HR, finance, education | Legal, corporate, communication |
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between appraise and apprise can instantly elevate the clarity of your writing and speaking.
Both are powerful in their own ways but serve very different purposes. While appraise focuses on judgment and evaluation, apprise centers on information and updates.
Using them properly shows command of language and strengthens your communication, especially in formal settings like work, school, or legal discussions.
The next time you’re writing a report, email, or preparing for a meeting, stop and ask: Am I trying to evaluate something or simply inform someone? Your answer will guide you to the right word, either appraise or apprise.