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 tasks equally among the students. [apportion: verb]
Example
The committee members worked together to apportion the budget for different departments. [apportioning: gerund or present participle]
distribute
Example
The volunteers will distribute food packages to families in need. [distribute: verb]
Example
The company has a system in place to distribute their products to different stores. [distributing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distribute is more commonly used than apportion in everyday language. Distribute is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while apportion is less common and often used in more specific or formal situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between apportion and distribute?
While distribute is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, apportion is more commonly used in formal or legal settings due to its specific connotation of dividing resources or responsibilities according to specific criteria or rules.