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Apply vs. Pertain — What's the Difference?

Apply vs. Pertain — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Apply and Pertain

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Apply

In mathematics and computer science, apply is a function that applies a function to arguments. It is central to programming languages derived from lambda calculus, such as LISP and Scheme, and also in functional languages.

Pertain

Pertain is a former commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. On 1 January 2017, it was merged into the new commune Hypercourt.

Apply

Make a formal application or request
A number of people have applied to vote by proxy
You need to apply to the local authority for a grant

Pertain

To have reference or relevance; relate
Evidence that pertains to the accident.

Apply

Be applicable or relevant
Normal rules apply
Prices do not apply to public holiday periods
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Pertain

To belong as an adjunct, part, holding, or quality
Skills that pertain to engineering.

Apply

Put or spread (a substance) on a surface
The sealer can be applied to new wood

Pertain

To be fitting or suitable
Conduct that pertains to an officer.

Apply

Give one's full attention to a task; work hard
For two years, she applied herself to her studies with dedication

Pertain

(intransitive) To belong to or be a part of; be an adjunct, attribute, or accessory of.
That spare wheel pertains to this car.

Apply

To bring into contact with something; put on
Applied glue sparingly to the paper.

Pertain

(intransitive) To relate, to refer, be relevant to.
That question doesn't pertain to the topic, so I'm not going to answer it.

Apply

To put to or adapt for a special use
Applies all her money to her mortgage.

Pertain

(intransitive) To apply; to be or remain in place; to continue to be applicable.

Apply

To put into action
Applied the brakes.

Pertain

To belong; to have connection with, or dependence on, something, as an appurtenance, attribute, etc.; to appertain; as, saltness pertains to the ocean; flowers pertain to plant life.
Men hate those who affect that honor by ambition which pertaineth not to them.

Apply

To engage (oneself) in a task with close attention or persistence
Applied myself to my studies.

Pertain

To have relation or reference to something.
These words pertain unto us at this time as they pertained to them at their time.

Apply

To be pertinent or relevant
A rule that applies to everyone.

Pertain

Have to do with or be relevant to;
There were lots of questions referring to her talk
My remark pertained to your earlier comments

Apply

To request or seek assistance, employment, or admission
Applied for unemployment benefits.
Will apply to college next year.

Pertain

Be a part or attribute of

Apply

(transitive) To lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
To apply cream to a rash

Apply

(transitive) To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case
To apply funds to the repayment of a debt

Apply

(transitive) To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relative
We need to apply the skills we've learned to solve this problem

Apply

(transitive) To put closely; to join; to engage and employ diligently, or with attention

Apply

(transitive) To address; to refer; generally used reflexively.

Apply

(intransitive) To submit oneself as a candidate (with the adposition "to" designating the recipient of the submission, and the adposition "for" designating the position).
I recently applied to the tavern for a job as a bartender.
Most of the colleges she applied to were ones she thought she had a good chance of getting into.
Many of them don't know it, but almost a third of the inmates are eligible to apply for parole or work-release programs.

Apply

(intransitive) To pertain or be relevant to a specified individual or group.
That rule only applies to foreigners.

Apply

(obsolete) To busy; to keep at work; to ply.

Apply

(obsolete) To visit.

Apply

Alternative spelling of appley

Apply

To lay or place; to put or adjust (one thing to another); - with to; as, to apply the hand to the breast; to apply medicaments to a diseased part of the body.
He said, and the sword his throat applied.

Apply

To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case; to appropriate; to devote; as, to apply money to the payment of a debt.

Apply

To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relative; as, to apply the testimony to the case; to apply an epithet to a person.
Yet God at lastTo Satan, first in sin, his doom applied.

Apply

To fix closely; to engage and employ diligently, or with attention; to attach; to incline.
Apply thine heart unto instruction.

Apply

To direct or address.
Sacred vows . . . applied to grisly Pluto.

Apply

To betake; to address; to refer; - used reflexively.
I applied myself to him for help.

Apply

To busy; to keep at work; to ply.
She was skillful in applying his "humors."

Apply

To visit.
And he applied each place so fast.

Apply

To suit; to agree; to have some connection, agreement, or analogy; as, this argument applies well to the case.

Apply

To make request; to have recourse with a view to gain something; to make application. (to); to solicit; as, to apply to a friend for information.

Apply

To ply; to move.
I heard the sound of an oar applying swiftly through the water.

Apply

To apply or address one's self; to give application; to attend closely (to).

Apply

Put into service; make work or employ (something) for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose;
Use your head!
We only use Spanish at home
I can't make use of this tool
Apply a magnetic field here
This thinking was applied to many projects
How do you utilize this tool?
I apply this rule to get good results
Use the plastic bags to store the food
He doesn't know how to use a computer

Apply

Be pertinent or relevant or applicable;
The same laws apply to you!
This theory holds for all irrational numbers
The same rules go for everyone

Apply

Ask (for something);
He applied for a leave of absence
She applied for college
Apply for a job

Apply

Apply to a surface;
She applied paint to the back of the house
Put on make-up!

Apply

Be applicable to; as to an analysis;
This theory lends itself well to our new data

Apply

Give or convey physically;
She gave him First Aid
I gave him a punch in the nose

Apply

Avail oneself to;
Apply a principle
Practice a religion
Use care when going down the stairs
Use your common sense
Practice non-violent resistance

Apply

Ensure observance of laws and rules;
Apply the rules to everyone

Apply

Refer (a word or name) to a person or thing;
He applied this racial slur to me!

Apply

Apply oneself to;
Please apply yourself to your homework

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