What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
earmarked
Example
The government has earmarked $10 million for the construction of a new hospital. [earmarked: verb]
Example
The earmarked funds will be used to support education initiatives in underprivileged communities. [earmarked: adjective]
allocate
Example
The manager will allocate the necessary staff to complete the project by the deadline. [allocate: verb]
Example
The company will allocate a larger portion of its budget to marketing this year. [allocate: transitive verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Allocate is more commonly used than earmark in everyday language. Allocate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while earmark is less common and refers to a specific designation of resources.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between earmarked and allocate?
Both earmark and allocate are formal words that are often used in financial or business contexts. However, allocate is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.