B2 adverb Formal

appropriately

/əˈproʊ.pri.ət.li/

To perform an action in a manner that is suitable, right, or proper for a particular situation, person, or occasion. It implies following specific social norms, professional standards, or logical requirements.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Make sure you dress appropriately for the cold weather before going outside.

Make sure you dress suitably for the cold weather before going outside.

2

The department will respond appropriately to all formal grievances filed by staff.

The department will respond in a suitable way to all formal grievances filed by staff.

3

You need to act appropriately if you want to stay at this dinner party.

You need to behave well if you want to stay at this dinner party.

Word Family

Noun
appropriateness
Verb
appropriate
Adverb
appropriately
Adjective
appropriate
Related
appropriation
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Memory Tip

Think of the root 'pro' which relates to 'proper'. To act appropriately is to act in a PRO-per way for the PRO-blem.

Quick Quiz

Since the meeting is with the CEO, please ensure you are dressed _______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: appropriately

Examples

1

Make sure you dress appropriately for the cold weather before going outside.

everyday

Make sure you dress suitably for the cold weather before going outside.

2

The department will respond appropriately to all formal grievances filed by staff.

formal

The department will respond in a suitable way to all formal grievances filed by staff.

3

You need to act appropriately if you want to stay at this dinner party.

informal

You need to behave well if you want to stay at this dinner party.

4

The researchers appropriately adjusted the variables to account for external bias.

academic

The researchers correctly adjusted the variables to account for external bias.

5

All client data must be handled appropriately according to the new privacy laws.

business

All client data must be handled in the correct manner according to the new privacy laws.

Word Family

Noun
appropriateness
Verb
appropriate
Adverb
appropriately
Adjective
appropriate
Related
appropriation

Common Collocations

dress appropriately wear clothes suitable for the occasion
behave appropriately act in an acceptable manner
respond appropriately react in a fitting way
function appropriately work or operate correctly
scale appropriately increase or decrease in size in a logical way

Common Phrases

act appropriately

to follow the expected rules of behavior

dealt with appropriately

handled in a correct or fair manner

labeled appropriately

marked with the correct identification

Often Confused With

appropriately vs properly

Properly focuses on technical correctness or perfection, while appropriately focuses on the suitability for a specific social or situational context.

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Usage Notes

Appropriately is frequently used in professional feedback and academic writing to describe actions that meet specific criteria or standards. It is more formal than 'well' or 'right'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'appropriately' when they simply mean 'goodly' or 'well', but it should only be used when the action 'matches' the situation.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the root 'pro' which relates to 'proper'. To act appropriately is to act in a PRO-per way for the PRO-blem.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'appropriatus', the past participle of 'appropriare', meaning 'to make one's own' or 'to make suitable'.

Grammar Patterns

Modifies a verb (e.g., 'to behave appropriately') Often placed at the end of a clause or immediately after the verb
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Cultural Context

In professional Western environments, 'dressing appropriately' is a standard expectation often listed in HR handbooks to define business casual vs. formal attire.

Quick Quiz

Since the meeting is with the CEO, please ensure you are dressed _______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: appropriately

Related Words

unknown

A1

A person or thing that is not known, recognized, or familiar. It often refers to a mysterious situation or a person who has not yet achieved fame or success.

of

A1

A preposition used to show a relationship between a part and a whole, or to indicate belonging and origin. It connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence to specify which one or what kind.

in

A1

A preposition used to indicate position within a container, a space, an area, or a period of time. It describes being surrounded by something or being inside the boundaries of a location.

it

A1

A third-person singular pronoun used to refer to an object, animal, or situation that has already been mentioned or is clear from context. It is also frequently used as a dummy subject to talk about time, weather, or distance.

on

A1

A preposition used to indicate that something is in a position above and supported by a surface. It is also used to indicate a specific day or date, or to show that a device is functioning.

as

A1

A conjunction used to compare two things that are equal in some way. It is most commonly used in the pattern 'as + adjective/adverb + as' to show similarity.

this

A1

Used to identify a specific person, thing, or idea that is physically close to the speaker or has just been mentioned. It can also refer to the present time or a situation that is currently happening.

by

A1

A preposition used to show the method or means of doing something, or to identify the person or thing that performs an action. It frequently appears in passive sentences to indicate the agent or before modes of transport.

we

A1

The word 'we' is a first-person plural pronoun used to refer to the speaker and one or more other people collectively. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause.

or

A1

A coordinating conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives. it indicates that only one of the options is likely, required, or true.

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