Appear vs. appearance: two words that are often confused with each other. While they may sound similar, they have different meanings and uses in the English language. In this article, we will explore the differences between these two words and when to use them correctly.
It is important to understand the definitions of appear and appearance. Appear means to come into sight or to be seen by others. Appearance, on the other hand, refers to the way something or someone looks or appears to others.
So, which of the two is the proper word? The answer is both. Appear and appearance are both correct words to use in the appropriate context. However, it is important to use them correctly to avoid confusion and miscommunication.
In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the differences between appear and appearance and provide examples of how to use them correctly.
Define Appear
Appear is a verb that is commonly used to describe the act of coming into sight or becoming visible. It can also refer to the act of seeming or giving the impression of being a certain way, even if it may not necessarily be true.
For example, a person may appear nervous even if they are not actually feeling nervous. This can be due to various factors such as body language, tone of voice, or facial expressions.
Define Appearance
Appearance is a noun that refers to the way something or someone looks or presents themselves. It can encompass various aspects such as physical features, clothing, grooming, and overall demeanor.
For instance, a person’s appearance may be described as professional if they are dressed in business attire and have a neat and tidy appearance. On the other hand, a person’s appearance may be described as casual if they are wearing more relaxed clothing and have a more laid-back demeanor.
Appearance can also be used to describe the way something looks in general. For example, the appearance of a room may be described as cluttered if there are many items strewn about and it looks disorganized.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
As a copywriter, it is important to have a strong command of the English language. One common source of confusion is the difference between the words “appear” and “appearance”. In this section, we will discuss how to use these words properly in a sentence.
How To Use “Appear” In A Sentence
The word “appear” is a verb that means to become visible or to seem. It is often used to describe how something or someone looks or seems to be.
Here are some examples of how to use “appear” in a sentence:
- The sun will appear in the sky at dawn.
- She appeared to be happy, but I could tell she was sad inside.
- The magician made a rabbit appear out of nowhere.
As you can see, “appear” is used to describe the visual or perceived presence of something or someone.
How To Use “Appearance” In A Sentence
The word “appearance” is a noun that refers to the way something or someone looks or seems to be. It can be used to describe physical characteristics as well as behavior or demeanor.
Here are some examples of how to use “appearance” in a sentence:
- His appearance was disheveled after a long night of partying.
- The appearance of the building was modern and sleek.
- She put on makeup to improve her appearance.
As you can see, “appearance” is used to describe the visual or perceived characteristics of something or someone.
More Examples Of Appear & Appearance Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the proper use of “appear” and “appearance,” it’s important to see them in action. Here are some examples of how to use these words correctly in a sentence:
Examples Of Using “Appear” In A Sentence
- The sun will appear in the sky at dawn.
- She appears to be happy with her new job.
- The magician made the rabbit appear out of thin air.
- It appears that we will have good weather for the picnic.
- The ghost appeared to the children in the haunted house.
- Despite his calm demeanor, he appeared nervous before the presentation.
- The stars appear to twinkle in the night sky.
- Her name appears on the list of approved candidates for the job.
- The solution appears to be working well for the experiment.
- The car appeared out of nowhere and almost hit the pedestrian.
Examples Of Using “Appearance” In A Sentence
- Her appearance at the party was a surprise to everyone.
- The appearance of the old building was improved with a fresh coat of paint.
- The appearance of the suspect matched the description given by the witness.
- The appearance of the website was updated to be more user-friendly.
- His appearance in court was necessary for the trial to proceed.
- The appearance of the flower garden was stunning in the spring.
- The appearance of the storm clouds signaled bad weather ahead.
- The appearance of the new product caused a lot of excitement among consumers.
- The appearance of the actor on stage was met with thunderous applause.
- The appearance of the moon in the sky was a beautiful sight to behold.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the words “appear” and “appearance,” people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and should not be used in place of one another. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Using “Appear” Instead Of “Appearance”
One common mistake is using “appear” when “appearance” is the correct word to use. For example, saying “The appearance of the cake was delicious” is incorrect, as “appearance” should be replaced with “cake” to make the sentence grammatically correct. “Appear” is a verb that means to come into sight or to seem to be a certain way. On the other hand, “appearance” is a noun that refers to the way something looks or presents itself.
Using “Appearance” Instead Of “Appear”
Another mistake is using “appearance” as a verb, such as saying “The cake appearance on the table.” In this case, “appearance” should be replaced with “appeared” to make the sentence grammatically correct. “Appear” is the correct verb to use when describing something coming into sight or becoming visible.
Using The Wrong Form Of “Appear”
It’s also important to use the correct form of “appear” depending on the tense of the sentence. For example, saying “The cake seems to appeared on the table” is incorrect, as “appeared” should be replaced with “appear” to make the sentence grammatically correct. Using the wrong form of “appear” can lead to confusion and make the sentence difficult to understand.
Tips To Avoid Mistakes
To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to understand the difference between “appear” and “appearance.” Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Remember that “appear” is a verb and “appearance” is a noun.
- Double-check that you are using the correct form of “appear” depending on the tense of the sentence.
- If you’re unsure which word to use, consult a dictionary or thesaurus for clarification.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between “appear” and “appearance”, context is key. The decision to use one over the other can depend on the intended meaning and the context in which they are used. Let’s explore some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “appear” and “appearance” might change.
Formal Writing
In formal writing, it is important to use precise language. In this context, “appearance” is often preferred over “appear”. For example:
- “The appearance of the building was impressive” – This sentence is more formal and precise than “The building appeared impressive”.
- “Her appearance at the conference was highly anticipated” – This sentence conveys a sense of formality and importance that “She appeared at the conference” does not.
Informal Conversations
Conversely, in informal conversations, “appear” is often used more frequently than “appearance”. For example:
- “You appear to be upset” – This sentence is more conversational and less formal than “Your appearance suggests that you are upset”.
- “He appears to be a nice guy” – This sentence is more casual than “His appearance suggests that he is a nice guy”.
Scientific Writing
In scientific writing, precision is also important. However, the choice between “appear” and “appearance” can depend on the specific field of study. For example:
| Biology | Physics |
|---|---|
| “The appearance of the cells under the microscope indicated a healthy sample” | “The particle appeared to have a mass of approximately 3.5 GeV/c²” |
| “The cells appeared to be dividing rapidly” | “The effect appeared to be caused by gravitational lensing” |
As you can see, the choice between “appear” and “appearance” can vary depending on the context in which they are used. It is important to consider the intended meaning and the level of formality required when deciding which to use.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using “appear” and “appearance” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to be aware of. In certain cases, the rules may not apply or may be more flexible. Here are some examples:
1. Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are verb phrases that consist of a main verb and one or more particles. In some cases, the particle can change the meaning of the verb and affect the use of “appear” and “appearance.”
- Appear out of: This phrasal verb means to suddenly come into view or become visible. Example: “The sun appeared out of the clouds.”
- Appear to: This phrasal verb means to give the impression of being or doing something. Example: “He appears to be happy.”
2. Idiomatic Expressions
Idiomatic expressions are phrases that have a different meaning than the literal meaning of the words. In some cases, the use of “appear” and “appearance” may be different in these expressions.
- Appearances can be deceiving: This expression means that things are not always as they seem. Example: “The restaurant looked fancy, but the food was terrible. Appearances can be deceiving.”
- Appear in court: This expression means to attend a court hearing as a defendant or a witness. Example: “The defendant will appear in court tomorrow.”
3. Regional Differences
There may be regional differences in the use of “appear” and “appearance.” In some areas, one word may be used more frequently than the other, or the rules for using them may be different.
For example, in British English, “appearance” is more commonly used than “appear” in formal writing. In American English, both words are used more interchangeably.
It’s important to be aware of these exceptions to ensure that you are using “appear” and “appearance” correctly in all situations.
Practice Exercises
Improving one’s understanding and use of appear and appearance requires practice. Here are some exercises to help you master these words:
Exercise 1: Choose The Correct Word
In each sentence, choose whether to use appear or appearance:
| Sentence | Correct Word |
|---|---|
| The sun will _______ in the morning. | appear |
| Her __________ at the party surprised everyone. | appearance |
| The magician made the rabbit __________ out of thin air. | appear |
| He always tries to __________ confident in front of his boss. | appear |
| The __________ of the building was impressive. | appearance |
Answer Key:
| Sentence | Correct Word |
|---|---|
| The sun will _______ in the morning. | appear |
| Her __________ at the party surprised everyone. | appearance |
| The magician made the rabbit __________ out of thin air. | appear |
| He always tries to __________ confident in front of his boss. | appear |
| The __________ of the building was impressive. | appearance |
Exercise 2: Fill In The Blank
Fill in the blank with the correct form of appear or appearance:
- She made her first __________ on stage when she was only five years old.
- The moon will __________ in the sky at dusk.
- He tried to __________ calm, but his shaking hands gave him away.
- The __________ of the restaurant was elegant and inviting.
- The ghost seemed to __________ out of nowhere.
Answer Key:
- She made her first appearance on stage when she was only five years old.
- The moon will appear in the sky at dusk.
- He tried to appear calm, but his shaking hands gave him away.
- The appearance of the restaurant was elegant and inviting.
- The ghost seemed to appear out of nowhere.
By practicing these exercises, you will become more confident in your use of appear and appearance in sentences.
Conclusion
After exploring the differences between “appear” and “appearance,” it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and uses in the English language.
Firstly, “appear” is a verb that refers to the act of coming into sight or becoming visible. It can also be used to describe how something seems or gives the impression of being. On the other hand, “appearance” is a noun that refers to the way something looks or presents itself.
It is important to use these words correctly in order to convey the intended meaning and avoid confusion. Using “appear” when “appearance” is the correct choice can lead to miscommunication and misunderstandings.
As with any aspect of grammar and language use, it is important to continue learning and improving one’s skills. By paying attention to the nuances of words like “appear” and “appearance,” we can become more effective communicators.
So, let us all strive to use these words correctly and continue to expand our knowledge of the English language.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.