What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
plead
Example
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges. [pleaded: past tense]
Example
She pleaded with her boss to give her more time to finish the project. [pleaded: verb]
appeal
Example
The defendant filed an appeal against the lower court's verdict. [appeal: noun]
Example
The charity made an appeal to the public for donations. [appeal: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Appeal is more commonly used than plead in everyday language. Appeal is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while plead is less common and more specific to legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between plead and appeal?
Appeal is generally more formal than plead. It is often used in official or professional settings, such as making an appeal to a higher authority or organization. Plead, on the other hand, can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it may have negative connotations in some situations.