Writing Tip: APPRAISE versus APPRISE

Appraise versus Apprise

People often mix up the words “appraise” and “apprise.” These words have different meanings and uses, and this should help to use them properly.

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Appraise is a verb that means to determine, assess, or estimate the value of something. The “praise” ending sounds like praise. If you mean to determine or assess a value, use appraise.

Examples:

• She wanted to get the ring appraised.
• He needed to get the car appraised before it was sold.
• She asked for the house to be appraised before she made an offer.
• That man will appraise the diamond and tell me what it’s worth.
• He will appraise the house and then we can sell it.
• She asked to have the vehicle appraised.
• He decided to have the watch appraised to know its value.
• After getting the jewelry appraised, she set a higher sale price.
• He had the painting appraised and was astounded at the value.
• The agent went there to appraise the property.

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Apprise is a verb that means to inform, tell, or notify someone. The “prise” ending sounds like prize. If you mean to inform or tell someone, use apprise.

Examples:

• His boss apprised him of what was needed.
• He has been apprised of the facts in the case.
• She was apprised of what he had been doing.
• He needs to apprise his family of what happened.
• She did not apprise her boss of the sale falling through.
• He made sure to apprise his team of the latest development.
• The police were apprised of the situation that developed.
• The doctor apprised the patient of the outcome of the surgery.
• After the meeting, the boss apprised the group of the outcome.
• She investigated and then apprised her client of what she found.

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If you mean to determine or assess a value, use appraise.

If you mean to inform or tell someone, use apprise.

After getting the house appraised, he apprised his client of the value.

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Here is a chart for an easy summary and helpful reminder.

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