Is It Appraise or Apprise? Difference, Examples, and Easy Rule
Appraise means to estimate the value or quality of something. Apprise means to inform or notify someone. The easiest way to choose the correct word is to match the word to the meaning of the sentence.
- The expert will appraise the house.
- Please apprise me of any changes.
These words are easy to confuse because they look similar, sound similar, or appear in formal writing. But they do different jobs. Use appraise when you mean to estimate the value or quality of something. Use apprise when you mean to inform or notify someone.
Appraise vs. Apprise at a glance
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| appraise | verb | to estimate the value or quality of something | The expert will appraise the house. |
| apprise | verb | to inform or notify someone | Please apprise me of any changes. |
Quick rule:
- Appraise = to estimate the value or quality of something.
- Apprise = to inform or notify someone.
- If the sentence still makes sense with the definition, you have the right word.
When to use appraise
Use appraise when the sentence is about to estimate the value or quality of something. This word is correct when that meaning is central to the sentence.
Examples:
- The expert will appraise the house.
- The sentence uses appraise because it means to estimate the value or quality of something.
- A reader would expect appraise in this context.
- If the sentence is about something else, check apprise.
A good editing habit is to pause before similar-looking words. Ask what idea the sentence needs. Then choose the word that names that exact idea.
When to use apprise
Use apprise when the sentence is about to inform or notify someone. This word may look close to appraise, but the meaning is different.
Examples:
- Please apprise me of any changes.
- The sentence uses apprise because it means to inform or notify someone.
- Using appraise here would make the sentence inaccurate.
- In careful writing, the correct choice depends on context, not sound.
The easiest memory trick
Appraise means evaluate. Apprise means inform.
You can also use this question:
> Is the sentence about to estimate the value or quality of something, or is it about to inform or notify someone?
If it is about the first meaning, use appraise. If it is about the second meaning, use apprise.
Common phrases with appraise
- appraise a house
- appraise jewelry
- appraise performance
- appraise value
Examples:
- The phrase appraise a house uses appraise because it connects to to estimate the value or quality of something.
- The phrase appraise jewelry follows the same pattern.
- Learning common phrases helps you choose the right word faster.
Common phrases with apprise
- apprise someone
- apprise the team
- apprise me of changes
- keep apprised
Examples:
- The phrase apprise someone uses apprise because it connects to to inform or notify someone.
- The phrase apprise the team is another common use.
- If you are unsure, check whether the phrase describes the right meaning.
Common mistakes and corrections
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The expert will apprise the house. | The expert will appraise the house. | The sentence needs appraise because it means to estimate the value or quality of something. |
| Please appraise me of any changes. | Please apprise me of any changes. | The sentence needs apprise because it means to inform or notify someone. |
More corrections:
- Incorrect: I chose the word because it looked familiar.
- Correct: I chose the word because its meaning matched the sentence.
- Incorrect: I treated both words as interchangeable.
- Correct: I kept appraise and apprise separate.
The same context-first habit also helps with Adverse vs. Averse and Allude vs. Elude. For a wider set of examples in this topic, use the Similar Words archive as the category grows.
More example sentences
Examples with appraise:
- The expert will appraise the house.
- The editor chose appraise because it matched the intended meaning.
- In this sentence, appraise is clear and natural.
- The sentence would change meaning with apprise.
Examples with apprise:
- Please apprise me of any changes.
- The teacher accepted the sentence because apprise was accurate.
- In this context, apprise cannot be replaced by appraise.
- The word choice tells the reader exactly what you mean.
Why this difference matters
Small word-choice errors can weaken otherwise good writing. In casual conversation, the listener may still understand you. In school, business, legal, medical, academic, or professional writing, the wrong word can distract the reader and make the sentence look less reliable.
The best fix is not to memorize every confusing pair in one sitting. Build a simple habit: pause, define the word in your own words, and choose the spelling that matches the meaning. That habit works for appraise and apprise, and it works for many other confusing English words too.
Extra editing check
Before you publish or submit important writing, test the word in a full sentence. If the definition does not fit naturally, switch to the other word. This extra check is especially useful when the words are close in spelling or pronunciation. It also helps you avoid repeating the same mistake in emails, essays, forms, and professional documents.
Quick quiz
Choose the correct word.
- The expert will appraise the house.
- Please apprise me of any changes.
- Which word means to estimate the value or quality of something: appraise or apprise?
- Which word means to inform or notify someone: appraise or apprise?
Answers:
- appraise
- apprise
- appraise
- apprise
FAQ
Is appraise the same as apprise?
No. appraise means to estimate the value or quality of something, while apprise means to inform or notify someone. They should not be used as substitutes.
How do I remember appraise vs. apprise?
Use the meaning test. Ask what the sentence is actually saying, then choose the word that matches that meaning.
Which word is more common?
It depends on the topic. Frequency is less important than meaning. Choose the word that makes the sentence accurate.
Can these words appear in formal writing?
Yes. Both words can appear in formal writing when used correctly. The important part is choosing the one that fits the sentence.
Final tip
Do not choose between appraise and apprise by appearance alone. If the sentence means to estimate the value or quality of something, use appraise. If it means to inform or notify someone, use apprise.