“Appraise” and “apprise” are often confused because they look and sound similar, but they serve completely different purposes in English.
One word is about evaluation, and the other is about communication of information. The confusion usually happens in formal or professional writing where both words appear frequently.
In simple terms:
- Appraise = to evaluate or assess something
- Apprise = to inform or notify someone
Quick Answer
Use appraise when judging value, quality, or condition.
Use apprise when informing someone about facts, updates, or decisions.
Examples
- The bank will appraise the property value.
- Please apprise me of any changes to the schedule.
The Core Difference In One Sentence
- Appraise = evaluate something
- Apprise = inform someone about something
Why People Confuse Appraise And Apprise
These words are confusing because:
- they have similar spelling and pronunciation
- both are formal verbs
- both appear in business English
- they share Latin-derived roots
However, their functions in a sentence are completely different.
Appraise Vs Apprise At A Glance
| Context | Correct Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluating value or performance | appraise | assess or judge |
| Giving official information | apprise | inform or notify |
| Property or asset review | appraise | determine value |
| Workplace updates | apprise | communicate information |
What Does Appraise Mean?
Appraise means:
- to evaluate
- to assess value or quality
- to judge condition or performance
Common Contexts
- real estate valuation
- employee performance reviews
- insurance damage assessment
- financial evaluation
Examples
- The insurance company appraised the damage after the storm.
- The manager appraised her performance annually.
- Experts appraised the artwork before auction.
Passive Form
- The house was appraised at $300,000.
- The project will be appraised next week.
What Does Apprise Mean?
Apprise means:
- to inform
- to notify
- to make someone aware of something formally
Key Structure
👉 Apprise someone of something
This is the most important grammatical pattern.
Examples
- Please apprise me of any updates.
- The manager apprised the team of the new policy.
- We will apprise you of the results tomorrow.
Passive Form
- She was apprised of the situation immediately.
- The board was apprised of the risks involved.
Appraise Vs Apprise Sentence Structure
Appraise Pattern
- Subject + appraise + object
Example:
- The expert appraises the property.
Or passive:
- The property is appraised.
Apprise Pattern
- Subject + apprise + person + of + information
Example:
- The officer apprised him of the decision.
Or passive:
- He was apprised of the decision.
Common Workplace Usage
Appraise In Business
- performance reviews
- asset valuation
- risk assessment
Example:
- HR will appraise employee performance this quarter.
Apprise In Business
- internal updates
- policy changes
- official communication
Example:
- The legal team apprised staff of compliance updates.
Appraise Vs Assess Vs Apprise
Appraise
- determines value or quality
Assess
- evaluates broadly (skills, risks, situations)
Apprise
- communicates information
Example:
- The teacher assessed the student’s skills.
- The expert appraised the painting’s value.
- The principal apprised parents of changes.
Common Mistakes And Fixes
Using Apprise Instead Of Appraise
Incorrect:
- The house was apprised at a high value.
Correct:
- The house was appraised at a high value.
Missing “Of” With Apprise
Incorrect:
- He apprised me the situation.
Correct:
- He apprised me of the situation.
Confusing Both Verbs
Incorrect:
- Please appraise me of the update.
Correct:
- Please apprise me of the update.
Sentence Correction Practice
- ❌ The manager appraised the team of new rules.
✔ The manager apprised the team of new rules. - ❌ The house was apprised last week.
✔ The house was appraised last week. - ❌ She was appraised of the decision.
✔ She was apprised of the decision.
Synonyms And Related Words
Appraise
- evaluate
- assess
- estimate
- judge
Apprise
- inform
- notify
- brief
- update
Word History
Both words originate from Latin-based French influences.
- Appraise evolved from terms related to “value” and “price,” which explains its connection to evaluation.
- Apprise comes from a root meaning “to teach or inform,” linking it to communication and awareness.
Over time, English separated them into two distinct professional verbs used in formal contexts.
FAQ
What is the difference between appraise and apprise?
Appraise means to evaluate something, while apprise means to inform someone about something.
How do you use apprise in a sentence?
You use it as “apprise someone of something,” such as “She apprised him of the changes.”
Is it correct to say apprise of?
Yes. “Apprise of” is the standard structure in formal English.
What does appraise mean in business?
It means to evaluate value, performance, or quality of assets or employees.
Can appraise and assess be used interchangeably?
Not always. Appraise is more about value, while assess is broader and more general.
Conclusion
“Appraise” and “apprise” are similar in spelling but completely different in function.
- Use appraise when evaluating value, quality, or performance
- Use apprise when informing someone formally about something
Once you understand their sentence patterns—evaluation vs communication—you can use both words confidently in professional and everyday writing.
