Compare estimating a condition with judging value.
The idea
Assess often emphasises estimating a risk, extent or condition; evaluate often emphasises judging value or effectiveness against criteria. They overlap and can often replace each other.
| Verb | Common emphasis |
|---|---|
| assess | estimate risk, extent or condition |
| evaluate | judge value or effectiveness using criteria |
Examples
- Engineers assessed the risk of flooding.
- The nurse assessed the extent of the injury.
- We assessed the damage after the storm.
- The panel evaluated each proposal against published criteria.
- The school evaluated the programme by its learning outcomes.
- The team evaluated the trial for cost and effectiveness.
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Watch out
Do not assume the verbs are mutually exclusive: both can describe judging a programme or a risk.
Try it yourself
Choose a correct word. Engineers will ___ the risk before construction. (assess / evaluate)
Show answer or example answer
assess / evaluate
assess / evaluate: Both verbs can be used for judging the risk.
Choose a correct word. The panel will ___ proposals against the criteria. (evaluate / assess)
Show answer or example answer
evaluate / assess
evaluate / assess: Both work for judging proposals against criteria.
Choose a correct word. After the storm we must ___ the damage. (assess / evaluate)
Show answer or example answer
assess / evaluate
assess / evaluate: Either verb can describe estimating the damage.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose a correct word. Engineers will ___ the risk before construction. (assess / evaluate)
Choose a correct word. The panel will ___ proposals against the criteria. (evaluate / assess)
Choose a correct word. After the storm we must ___ the damage. (assess / evaluate)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe a risk to estimate and a project to judge against criteria.