To appraise something is to assess its value or quality. To apprise someone is to tell them about something. The two verbs often take different kinds of objects.
Look for what follows the verb
- Appraise a thing. The dealer appraised the ceramic pitcher. The pitcher is the direct object and the item being assessed.
- Apprise a person of something. The dealer apprised the owner of the findings. The owner receives the information. Of the findings names the information.
Choose the word for the action
A committee can appraise a proposal, then apprise the applicants of its decision. In the passive, you can write The applicants were apprised of the decision. Apprise sounds formal. Inform the applicants or tell the applicants may suit a more conversational register.
