Appraise vs Apprise: What’s the Difference? Meaning, Uses, and Examples

Have you ever wondered whether to use appraise or apprise in a sentence? These two English words look and sound similar, but they have completely different meanings. Choosing the wrong one can change your message and make your writing less clear. Understanding the difference will help you communicate more confidently in everyday conversations, academic assignments, and professional emails.

The main difference between appraise vs apprise is that appraise means to evaluate or assess the value, quality, or importance of something, while apprise means to inform or notify someone about something. For example, a property expert appraises a house to determine its value, but a manager apprises employees of an important company update. Both words are correct, but they are used in different situations. Learning their definitions, grammatical patterns, and practical examples will help you remember which word to use.

Quick Answer: Appraise vs Apprise

Appraise means to evaluate, assess, or estimate the value or quality of something. For example, an expert appraises a painting. Apprise means to inform or notify someone about a situation or development. For example, a manager apprises the team of a new policy. Remember: you appraise something to judge it, but apprise someone to inform them.

Why Do People Confuse Appraise and Apprise?

People often confuse appraise and apprise because they have similar spellings, pronunciations, and grammatical structures. Both words are verbs, and both frequently appear in formal or professional writing.

However, their meanings are distinct.

• Appraise: To evaluate something or determine its value.
• Apprise: To inform someone about something.

Another reason for the confusion is that both words can appear in workplace communication. An employee might appraise a project’s performance or apprise a supervisor of its progress. The first action involves evaluation, while the second involves sharing information.

Understanding the difference between evaluating and informing is the easiest way to use these words correctly.

What Does Appraise Mean?

Appraise is a verb meaning to evaluate, assess, or estimate the value, quality, condition, or importance of something.

It is commonly used in real estate, business, education, art, and performance management.

Examples of Appraise in Sentences

• The expert will appraise the antique furniture before the auction.
• The company appraises employees based on their performance.
• The jewelry dealer appraised the diamond at $5,000.
• Teachers appraise students’ work to identify their strengths and weaknesses.
• The insurance company needs to appraise the damage before approving the claim.

In each example, someone examines or evaluates something to form a judgment.

Common Forms of Appraise

Word Form	Example
Base form: appraise	We appraise the property.
Present participle: appraising	She is appraising the artwork.
Past tense: appraised	The expert appraised the ring.
Past participle: appraised	The house has been appraised.
Noun: appraisal	The property appraisal is complete.
Noun: appraiser	The appraiser examined the painting.

When Should You Use Appraise?

Use appraise when discussing activities that involve examining, evaluating, or estimating value.

Common situations include:

• Real estate: Appraising a house or commercial property.
• Jewelry: Appraising the value of a gold necklace.
• Employment: Appraising an employee’s performance.
• Art and antiques: Appraising a painting or collectible.
• Business: Appraising the potential value of an investment.

Example: The bank hired an expert to appraise the property before approving the mortgage.

Here, appraise is correct because the expert must estimate the property’s value.

What Does Apprise Mean?

Apprise is a verb meaning to inform, notify, or make someone aware of a situation, event, or development.

It is often used in professional communication, formal writing, and situations where someone needs to receive important information.

The word commonly appears in the expression apprise someone of something.

Examples of Apprise in Sentences

• Please apprise me of any changes to the schedule.
• The manager apprised the staff of the new company policy.
• We will apprise the client of the project’s progress.
• The officer apprised the team of the latest developments.
• She apprised her supervisor of the unexpected delay.

In these examples, someone communicates information to another person.

Common Forms of Apprise

Word Form	Example
Base form: apprise	Please apprise me of the situation.
Present participle: apprising	He is apprising the team of the changes.
Past tense: apprised	She apprised us of the decision.
Past participle: apprised	We have been apprised of the update.
Related noun: apprisal	This uncommon noun refers to the act of informing or an account of information.

In everyday English, information, notification, and notice are more common than apprisal.

When Should You Use Apprise?

Use apprise when you need to tell someone about information, an event, a change, or a development.

Common situations include:

• Workplace communication: Informing colleagues about a project update.
• Business: Notifying a client about a change in plans.
• Education: Informing students about an examination schedule.
• Government and law: Keeping relevant people informed of developments.
• Personal communication: Informing a friend about an important decision.

Example: Please apprise the director of any significant changes.

Here, apprise is correct because the director needs to be informed.

Appraise vs Apprise: Comparison Table

The following table summarizes the main differences between these two words.

Feature	Appraise	Apprise
Meaning	Evaluate or assess	Inform or notify
Part of speech	Verb	Verb
Main purpose	To form a judgment	To communicate information
Common object	An item, property, performance, or situation	A person who receives information
Common pattern	Appraise something	Apprise someone of something
Common contexts	Real estate, business, art, performance reviews	Workplace updates, formal notices, important developments
Example	The expert appraised the painting.	She apprised us of the decision.
Related noun	Appraisal	Apprisal, an uncommon noun
Memory clue	Assess value	Pass on information

The essential difference: Appraise is about evaluation, whereas apprise is about informing someone.

When to Use Appraise vs Apprise

Choosing the correct word becomes easier when you focus on the action you want to describe.

Use Appraise When You Evaluate Something

Choose appraise when someone examines an item, person, performance, or situation to determine its value, quality, or significance.

Examples:

• The jeweler will appraise my necklace.
• The supervisor appraised the employee’s performance.
• Experts appraised the historical importance of the building.

In each sentence, the person performs an evaluation.

Use Apprise When You Inform Someone

Choose apprise when someone shares information with another person.

Examples:

• Please apprise me of the latest developments.
• The teacher apprised parents of the schedule change.
• The assistant apprised the manager of the delay.

In each sentence, someone communicates information to another person.

Can Both Words Be Used in Similar Situations?

Yes. Both words can appear in discussions about the same event, but they describe different actions.

Consider this example:

“The project manager appraised the project’s progress and apprised the director of the results.”

The manager appraised the progress by evaluating it. The manager apprised the director by communicating the findings.

This distinction is especially useful in professional writing.

12 Examples of Appraise vs Apprise in Sentences

These examples demonstrate how to use both words correctly in everyday and professional situations.

Examples Using Appraise

1. Real estate

The agent hired an expert to appraise the house before putting it on the market.

The expert estimates the house’s value.

2. Jewelry

The jeweler appraised the gold bracelet at $800.

The jeweler determined the bracelet’s estimated value.

3. Employee performance

The supervisor will appraise each employee’s performance at the end of the year.

The supervisor will evaluate how well employees perform.

4. Artwork

The museum asked a specialist to appraise the painting.

The specialist will assess the painting’s value or significance.

5. Insurance

The insurance company sent an inspector to appraise the damage caused by the storm.

The inspector will evaluate the extent of the damage.

6. Business decisions

The investors appraised the potential risks before committing their money.

The investors evaluated the possible risks.

Examples Using Apprise

7. Workplace updates

Please apprise me of any changes to the meeting schedule.

The speaker wants to receive information about changes.

8. Business communication

The account manager apprised the client of the delivery delay.

The account manager informed the client about the delay.

9. School announcements

The principal apprised parents of the upcoming school closure.

The principal notified parents about the closure.

10. Project management

The team leader apprised the director of the project’s current status.

The team leader informed the director about the project’s progress.

11. Emergency communication

Officials apprised residents of the approaching storm.

Officials informed residents about the storm.

12. Personal communication

She apprised her family of her decision to move abroad.

She informed her family about her decision.

Bonus Examples: Using Both Words Together

13. Business evaluation

The consultant appraised the company’s performance and apprised the board of the findings.

14. Property management

The inspector appraised the building’s condition and apprised the owner of the necessary repairs.

15. Project reporting

The team appraised the project’s risks and apprised management of its concerns.

These examples show that the words can work together naturally because evaluating something and informing someone are two separate actions.

Common Mistakes When Using Appraise and Apprise

Even experienced English speakers sometimes confuse words with similar spellings. Here are common mistakes to avoid.

Mistake 1: Using Apprise When You Mean Evaluate

Incorrect: The expert will apprise the value of the diamond.

Correct: The expert will appraise the value of the diamond.

The sentence describes determining value, so appraise is the appropriate verb.

Mistake 2: Using Appraise When You Mean Inform

Incorrect: Please appraise me of the latest changes.

Correct: Please apprise me of the latest changes.

The speaker wants to receive information, not an evaluation.

Mistake 3: Forgetting the Correct Structure of Apprise

A common formal pattern is apprise someone of something.

Correct: The manager apprised the employees of the new policy.

You can also say:

“The manager informed the employees about the new policy.”

The second sentence is more common in everyday English.

Mistake 4: Assuming Appraise Always Means Monetary Value

Although appraise often refers to financial value, it can also mean evaluating quality, performance, condition, or importance.

For example:

“The teacher appraised the student’s presentation.”

Here, the teacher evaluates the presentation rather than assigning it a monetary value.

Mistake 5: Using Apprise in Casual Conversation Unnecessarily

Apprise is correct, but it often sounds formal.

Instead of saying, “Please apprise me when you arrive,” you can simply say, “Please let me know when you arrive.”

Both are understandable, but the second is more natural in everyday conversation.

Easy Memory Trick to Remember Appraise vs Apprise

Use these simple memory tricks to distinguish the two words.

1. Appraise = Assess

Both appraise and assess begin with the letter A.

Remember:

Appraise = Assess the value.

Example: The expert appraised the antique clock.

2. Apprise = Inform

Think of apprise as a formal way to say “inform.

Remember:

Apprise = Inform someone.

Example: Please apprise me of the results.

3. Ask Yourself One Question

Before choosing either word, ask:

“Am I evaluating something or informing someone?”

• If you are evaluating something, use appraise.
• If you are informing someone, use apprise.

4. Remember Two Simple Sentences

• The expert will appraise the house.
• The expert will apprise the owner of the results.

The first sentence describes evaluation. The second describes communication.

Appraise vs Apprise in American and British English

There is no major difference between American and British English in the meanings of appraise and apprise. Both varieties use the words with essentially the same definitions.

Feature	American English	British English
Appraise	Evaluate or estimate value	Evaluate or estimate value
Apprise	Inform or notify	Inform or notify
Spelling	Appraise, apprise	Appraise, apprise
Main distinction	Evaluation versus information	Evaluation versus information

The choice between these words depends on their meanings, not on whether you are writing for an American or British audience.

However, everyday usage can vary by context. For example, American speakers may commonly use evaluate or assess in place of appraise, while British speakers may also prefer alternatives such as inform or notify instead of apprise.

Both appraise and apprise remain correct in either variety of English.

Similar Words to Appraise and Apprise

Understanding related words can help you express yourself more precisely.

Words Similar to Appraise

These words describe evaluating, examining, or judging something.

• Assess: Evaluate the nature, quality, or extent of something.
• Evaluate: Judge the value, quality, or effectiveness of something.
• Estimate: Calculate or judge an approximate amount or value.
• Value: Determine or express the monetary worth of something.
• Examine: Inspect something carefully.
• Review: Consider or assess something, often systematically.

Example: “The manager evaluated the team’s performance.”

Here, evaluated can replace appraised because both describe an assessment.

Words Similar to Apprise

These words describe communicating information.

• Inform: Give someone information.
• Notify: Formally tell someone about something.
• Advise: Inform someone or recommend a course of action, depending on context.
• Update: Give someone the latest information.
• Alert: Warn someone about a possible problem or important development.
• Brief: Give someone essential information about a subject.

Example: “The manager notified the team about the schedule change.”

Here, notified can replace apprised without changing the basic meaning.

Appraise vs Assess vs Evaluate

These three words overlap in meaning.

• Appraise often emphasizes determining value, quality, or worth.
• Assess often emphasizes examining a situation or measuring its extent.
• Evaluate often emphasizes judging quality, effectiveness, or performance.

For example, an expert appraises a house, a doctor assesses a patient’s condition, and a teacher evaluates an assignment.

These are common patterns rather than strict rules; the words can overlap in many contexts.

Apprise vs Inform vs Notify

These words also share similar meanings.

• Apprise is relatively formal and often appears in the pattern “apprise someone of something.”
• Inform is a versatile word suitable for everyday and professional communication.
• Notify often suggests giving an official or specific notice.

For example:

• Please apprise the director of the developments.
• Please inform the director about the developments.
• Please notify the director of the policy change.

All three sentences describe communicating information, although their tone and emphasis differ slightly.

Final Verdict: Appraise or Apprise?

The correct choice depends on what you want to communicate.

Use appraise when you evaluate, assess, or estimate the value or quality of something. Use apprise when you inform someone about a situation, event, or development.

Compare these sentences:

• “The expert appraised the painting.” The expert evaluated the painting.
• “The expert apprised the owner of the results.” The expert informed the owner of the results.

Both words are correct, but they are not interchangeable.

If you remember just one rule, remember this: Appraise means evaluate; apprise means inform.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main difference between appraise and apprise?

Appraise means to evaluate or estimate the value or quality of something. Apprise means to inform someone about something. For example, an expert appraises a property, while a manager apprises employees of a new policy.

2. Is it apprise me or appraise me?

The correct phrase for asking someone to inform you is “apprise me.”

For example: “Please apprise me of any important developments.”

If you say “appraise me,” you are asking someone to evaluate or assess you, rather than simply inform you.

3. How do you use apprise in a sentence?

Use apprise when informing someone about a situation or development. A common structure is “apprise someone of something.”

Example: “The supervisor apprised the staff of the upcoming changes.”

This means the supervisor informed the staff about the changes.

4. Can appraise and apprise be used interchangeably?

No. Although the words look similar, their meanings differ. Appraise describes evaluating something, while apprise describes informing someone. Using one instead of the other can change the meaning of a sentence.

5. Is appraise only used for money or property?

No. Appraise can refer to evaluating monetary value, quality, condition, performance, or importance. For example, a manager can appraise an employee’s performance, and a specialist can appraise the historical significance of an artifact.

6. Is apprise a formal word?

Yes, apprise is generally considered a formal or relatively formal word. It is common in professional writing and official communication. In casual conversations, people often use simpler alternatives such as tell, inform, or let someone know.

7. What is the difference between appraise, apprise, and assess?

Appraise means to evaluate value or quality. Apprise means to inform someone. Assess means to evaluate or determine the nature, extent, or significance of something. For example, an expert appraises a painting, a manager apprises a team of changes, and a doctor assesses a patient’s condition.

Remember This

Keep these three points in mind whenever you are unsure which word to use:

• Appraise = Evaluate: Determine value, quality, or importance.
• Apprise = Inform: Tell someone about information or developments.
• Assess = Evaluate: Examine something to understand its nature, quality, or extent.

Here is one final example to make the difference clear:

“The consultant appraised the company’s performance and apprised the director of the findings.”

The consultant evaluated the performance and then informed the director about the results.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between appraise and apprise is simple once you focus on their meanings. Appraise refers to evaluating something, such as a property’s value, an employee’s performance, or an artwork’s quality. Apprise refers to informing someone about a situation, decision, or development. Although the words have similar spellings and pronunciations, they serve different purposes in English.

To use them correctly, remember the simple rule: appraise means evaluate, while apprise means inform. Practice with the example sentences, pay attention to the context, and choose the word that expresses your intended meaning. With a little practice, you will be able to use both words confidently in everyday conversations, academic writing, and professional communication.