What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
doling
Example
The teacher was doling out candy to the students who answered her questions correctly. [doling: verb]
Example
The government was doling out financial aid to those affected by the pandemic. [doling: gerund or present participle]
allocate
Example
The company will allocate a budget for marketing and advertising this year. [allocate: verb]
Example
The school will allocate more classrooms for the incoming students. [allocate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Allocate is more commonly used than doling in professional or business settings, while doling is more commonly used in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between doling and allocate?
Allocate is a more formal term that is commonly used in professional or business settings, while doling is a more casual term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
