What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
apportion
Example
The teacher will apportion the group project equally among all the students. [apportion: verb]
Example
The funds will be apportioned based on the needs of each department. [apportioned: past tense]
allocate
Example
The manager will allocate the budget for different departments. [allocate: verb]
Example
Each team member will be allocated specific responsibilities for the project. [allocated: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Allocate is more commonly used than apportion in everyday language. Allocate is a widely used term in business, management, and planning, while apportion is less common and often used in legal or administrative contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between apportion and allocate?
While apportion is typically associated with legal or administrative contexts, allocate is considered more formal and is commonly used in business, management, and planning.