What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
benchmarking
Example
The company conducted benchmarking to assess its customer service performance against industry leaders. [benchmarking: noun]
Example
We are benchmarking our manufacturing processes to identify areas for improvement. [benchmarking: present participle]
appraisal
Example
The manager conducted an appraisal to assess the employee's performance over the past year. [appraisal: noun]
Example
She received positive feedback during her performance appraisal. [appraisal: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Appraisal is more commonly used than benchmarking in everyday language, especially in the context of employee performance evaluations. Benchmarking is more commonly used in business and organizational contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between benchmarking and appraisal?
Both benchmarking and appraisal can be used in formal contexts, such as in business reports or performance management discussions. However, appraisal is more commonly associated with formal evaluations of individual employees, while benchmarking can be used in a broader range of formal and informal contexts related to organizational performance improvement.
