What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
appeal
Example
The organization made an appeal to the government for funding. [appeal: noun]
Example
She appealed to her friends for help with her project. [appealed: past tense verb]
petition
Example
They started a petition to save the local park from being demolished. [petition: noun]
Example
We petitioned the city council to address the issue of traffic congestion. [petitioned: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Appeal is more commonly used than petition in everyday language. Appeal has a broader range of contexts and can be used in various situations, while petition is more specific and often associated with formal written requests.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between appeal and petition?
Both appeal and petition can be formal in nature, but petition is generally considered more formal due to its written format and the requirement of signatures. Appeal can be used in both formal and informal contexts.