Disapproval and analysis: criticize or critique

The idea

Criticize often expresses disapproval; critique often means analyse work, including strengths and weaknesses. Criticize can also mean analyse critically, so the meanings overlap.

Examples

• The neighbours criticized the council for closing the park.
• The journalist criticized the decision as unfair.
• Several passengers criticized the long delay.
• In class we critiqued the film’s use of colour.
• The architect critiqued the design, noting strengths and weaknesses.
• Our group critiqued the proposal before revising it.

Watch out

Do not assume a critique is always negative: it may identify strengths too.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the best answer. The residents ___ the closure as unfair. (criticized / criticised)

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   criticized / criticised

   criticized / criticised: the residents express disapproval of the closure.

2. Choose the best answer. In class we will ___ the draft, discussing its strengths and weaknesses. (criticize / critique)

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   critique

   critique: the class examines both strengths and weaknesses.

3. Choose the best answer. A balanced ___ may praise as well as question a design. (critique / complaint)

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   critique

   critique: a reasoned analysis can include praise.

Use it today

Describe a decision you disapprove of and a work you could analyse.