Today’s phrasal verb is appeal to , which you probably have already related to our verb “appeal”. But did you know that it has at least three more meanings?
That’s right! Appeal to can also mean “pleading”, “pleasing” or “getting attention”. How about we see some sentences with appeal to each of these four meanings?
- Let us begin by seeing appeal tothe legal sense of “appealing,” that is, appealing a judgment to a higher court:
He will appeal to the state for an extension of his unemployment benefits.
He will appeal to the state for an extension of his unemployment benefit.
She has appealed to the Supreme Court to stop her extradition.
She appealed to the Supreme Court to stop her extradition.
They’re appealing to the court to reduce the sentence to a fine.
They are appealing to the court to reduce the sentence to a fine.
The verdict was appealed to a higher court.
The verdict was appealed to a higher court.
The European Parliament must appeal to the Council and the Commission.
The European Parliament should appeal to the Council and the Commission.
2 – Now look to appeal in a similar sense, which is to “beg”, that is, to insistently beg or beg someone for something:
The players appealed to the referee for a free kick.
The players pleaded with the referee for a foul.
Appeal to your congressmen if you really want lower taxes.
Supplicate your congressmen if you really want lower taxes.
The citizens appealed to their mayor to try to find a solution to the housing crisis.
Citizens pleaded with their mayor to try to find a solution to the housing crisis.
The Prime Minister appealed to young people to use their vote.
The prime minister pleaded with the youth to use their vote.
The police are appealing to the public for any information about the missing girl.
Police are pleading with the public for any information about the missing girl.
Church leaders have appealed to the government to halt the war.
Church leaders pleaded with the government to end the war.
3 – The third sense of appeal is to “please” someone’s taste:
That style of architecture just doesn’t appeal to me.
That style of architecture just doesn’t please me .
This new style of clothing doesn’t appeal to me. I prefer the older fashion.
This new style of clothing does not please me . I prefer the older fashion.
Heavy metal music appeals mostly to teenage boys.
Heavy metal music mainly appeals to guys.
It’s a program designed to appeal mainly to 16 to 25-year-olds.
It is a program designed to appeal mainly to young people aged 16 to 25.
The beauty of her prose appeals to my poetic sensibilities.
The beauty of her prose pleases my poetic sensibilities.
The idea of stronger laws for criminals appeals to me as a mother.
The idea of stronger laws for criminals pleases me as a mother.
This film might appeal to your taste for nostalgia.
This movie may appeal to your fondness for nostalgia.
4 – Finally, let’s look at appealing in the sense of “getting one’s attention”:
Tall, dark-haired guys always appeal to me .
Tall, dark-haired guys always catch my eye .
Fast food doesn’t appeal to me .
Fast food does not catch my eye .
The idea of a vacation to Florida this winter appeals to me a lot .
The idea of a Florida vacation this winter catches my eye .
The small apartments will appeal more to single people than to big families.
Small apartments will draw the attention of single people rather than large families.
In the sixties, Asian philosophies appealed to young people seeking alternatives to Western materialism.
In the 1960s, Asian philosophies drew the attention of young people seeking alternatives to Western materialism. (Read the post English Structures: Dates ).
I think what appeals to me about his painting is his use of color.
I think what catches my eye in his painting is his use of color.
Did you already know that phrasal verb appeal to had these four meanings? Not? Then add a few sentences to your Anki to pin down what you have learned. See you next time!
