When writing emails, novels, or formal documents, many people get confused between appal and appall. Both words look similar and carry the same meaning, which is to dismay or horrify someone. The main difference lies in the region and audience: appal is more common in British English, while appall is the preferred spelling in American English. Knowing this subtle difference helps maintain clarity, professionalism, and accuracy in your writing, ensuring your expression, style, and context are appropriate for the readers you are addressing.
Even experienced writers, editors, and native speakers can stumble at first glance, especially when the words seem almost identical. Misusing them in a formal document, article, or literary piece can confuse readers or appear sloppy, whereas consistent use based on audience consideration shows careful attention, precision, and textual awareness. Paying attention to regional distinctions, nuance, and the context ensures your communication is effective and your writing skills are trusted by readers, whether for email, literary writing, or editorial content.
A practical approach is to consider the audience, region, and purpose of your writing. If addressing a British audience, use appal; for an American audience, use appall. Understanding these subtle differences, grammar rules, and usage patterns builds confidence, strengthens your English vocabulary, and improves literacy, comprehension, and contextually accurate expression. By consistently applying these rules, your communication becomes clear, effective, and professional, while avoiding confusion or common mistakes in formal, informal, or international contexts..
Quick Answer: Appal vs. Appall
Simply put:
- Appal is the preferred spelling in British English.
- Appall is the standard spelling in American English.
Both words mean the same: to shock, horrify, or fill someone with dismay.
Example:
- British: The thought of such cruelty appals me.
- American: The thought of such cruelty appalls me.
The key difference lies in geography, not meaning. If you write for a British audience, appal is correct; for an American audience, appall is preferred.
Definition and Meaning
Appal
Definition: To cause shock, disgust, or horror.
Example Sentences:
- It appals me that so many animals suffer in silence.
- The news of the scandal appalled readers across the country.
Appall
Definition: Identical to appal—used to describe something shocking or horrifying—but predominantly in American English.
Example Sentences:
- The thoughtless remark appalls me.
- She was appalled by the lack of safety measures.
Origins and Etymology
Both appal and appall trace back to the Latin word “pallere”, meaning “to be pale.” In Middle English, the word evolved into apalen or appalen, carrying the sense of becoming pale with fear or dismay.
Timeline of Evolution:
| Century | Form & Region | Notes |
| 14th | apalen (UK) | Early Middle English, meaning “to frighten” |
| 16th | appalen | Spelling variation appears in literature |
| 18th | appal | Standardized in British texts |
| 19th | appall | Adopted in American English dictionaries |
The divergence in spelling between British and American English is part of a larger historical trend. Many words in American English adopted double letters for clarity, which explains the “appall” form.
Spelling Differences by Region
British English (UK, Australia, India, etc.)
- Primary form: appal
- Used in newspapers, literature, and formal documents.
- Example: The committee was appalled by the lack of evidence, but the verdict stood.
American English (US, Canada)
- Primary form: appall
- Used in journalism, novels, and academic writing.
- Example: The teacher was appalled at the students’ careless behavior.
Why the Difference Exists
- Historical standardization: British English kept simpler spellings, while American English added letters for clarity.
- Influence of dictionaries: Noah Webster’s 19th-century reforms standardized appall in the US.
Real-World Usage Data
Modern usage data shows how often each variant appears and in what contexts.
Corpus Examples:
| Corpus | Spelling | Frequency | Notes |
| Google Ngram Viewer (1800–2019) | Appal | Moderate, UK-heavy | Peaks in 19th century, steady decline after 1950 |
| Google Ngram Viewer | Appall | Low initially, rises post-1850 | Dominates in US literature after 1900 |
| COCA (Corpus of Contemporary American English) | Appall | 3,420 occurrences | Confirms US preference |
| BNC (British National Corpus) | Appal | 1,870 occurrences | Confirms UK preference |
Interpretation:
- Both forms are correct, but regional preference dictates which one readers expect.
- Appall is rising in global digital content due to US media dominance.
How to Use Appal and Appall in Sentences
British English Examples
- It truly appals me that people ignore environmental warnings.
- The movie’s graphic scenes appalled audiences in London.
American English Examples
- The CEO was appalled at the accounting errors.
- Such treatment of patients appalls doctors everywhere.
Related Forms
| Form | Part of Speech | Example Sentence |
| Appalled | Adjective | She was appalled by the harsh criticism. |
| Appalling | Adjective | The appalling conditions shocked everyone. |
| Appals / Appalls | Verb (3rd person) | This news appals me. |
Usage tip:
- Appalling describes something shocking.
- Appalled describes the reaction of a person.
Example:
- The appalling behavior appalled the audience.
Synonyms and Alternatives
Common Synonyms: horrify, shock, disgust, outrage, stun, dismay
Choosing the right synonym:
- Use horrify for extreme fear.
- Use dismay for mild shock or disappointment.
- Use outrage for moral or ethical violation.
Example:
- The conditions appalled her, but she wasn’t horrified—just deeply disappointed.
Examples from Literature, Media & News
British Literature
- Dickens often uses appal: “The sight of the orphanage appalled him deeply.”
- Contemporary UK authors maintain the same spelling in novels and newspapers.
American News & Media
- The New York Times frequently uses appall: “The senator was appalled at the decision.”
- American media favors double letters in formal reporting.
Famous Quotes
- Winston Churchill: “It appalled me to see how little they cared.” (UK source)
- Eleanor Roosevelt: “I am appalled by the injustice that surrounds us.” (US source)
Historical Linguistic Shifts
- In the 18th century, appal was common in both the UK and early American texts.
- Noah Webster’s dictionary reforms led to appall becoming the standard in the US.
- British English never adopted the double-L spelling, maintaining appal.
- Digital and global English use increasingly shows appall, even in UK-based content, due to American media influence.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing spellings in the same document: Incorrect: “It appall me that this appal happened.”
- Assuming appal is always a misspelling: It’s correct in British English.
- Overusing the word: Reserve for genuinely shocking or horrifying situations.
Which Version Should You Use?
| Region | Correct Form | Example |
| UK, Australia, India | Appal | The sight appals me. |
| US, Canada | Appall | The sight appalls me. |
| Mixed/Global | Choose based on audience | Use British for UK sites, American for US sites |
Quick Rule: Stick to your audience’s regional spelling and remain consistent throughout your writing.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between appal and appall is essential for clear, professional, and contextually correct writing. While both words mean to dismay or horrify, the choice depends on region, audience, and purpose. Using appal for British English and appall for American English ensures your communication is precise, avoids confusion, and reflects strong literacy and writing skills. Paying attention to nuance, context, and audience consideration strengthens your expression and makes your English writing more trusted and effective.
FAQs
Q1. What is the difference between appal and appall?
Appal is used in British English, and appall is used in American English. Both mean to dismay or horrify someone.
Q2.Can appal and appall be used interchangeably?
Technically yes, but it’s better to choose based on regional audiences to maintain professionalism and clarity.
Q3. Which word should I use in formal writing?
Use appal for British audiences and appall for American audiences. Consistency is key for correct usage.
Q4. Do native English speakers get confused between appal and appall?
Yes, even native speakers, writers, and editors can stumble at first glance because the words look almost identical.
Q5. How can I remember which one to use?
Focus on your audience and region: British = appal, American = appall. Also consider context, purpose, and formality.
Sarah Johnson is a Language Teacher who explains English rules in simple everyday examples.She creates practical lessons for GrammarVerb so learners can improve their writing and communication skills. Her purpose is to make English learning clear, enjoyable, and easy to use in real life.