What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
employ
Example
The company decided to employ a new marketing strategy to increase sales. [employ: verb]
Example
She was employed as a teacher at the local school. [employed: past tense]
Example
He employed his knowledge of programming to develop a new software application. [employed: past participle]
apply
Example
I applied for the job last week and I'm waiting to hear back. [applied: past tense]
Example
She applied her knowledge of chemistry to conduct experiments in the lab. [applied: past participle]
Example
We need to apply a different approach to solve this problem. [apply: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Apply is more commonly used than employ in everyday language, as it has a wider range of contexts and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between employ and apply?
Employ is generally considered more formal than apply, as it is often used in the context of business or employment. However, both words can be used in formal and informal situations depending on the context.
