English Café: Award or Reward?

Advanced Details: Award or Reward?

The difference between award and reward can be confusing because they are both commonly used with money! As a result, they are often used interchangeablly. These 2 words have very, very similar meanings. Both words can be nouns or verbs and they both refer to something (often it is money or prizes) received as a result of one’s actions. The main difference between these words is that an award is always given by someone: Company management, Olympic judges, and classroom teachers give awards. For example, the company awarded the winners with 5000-baht gift certificates.

In contrast, a reward may not always be given by someone. A reward might be something essential like good health (the reward of being successful in losing weight), relief from hunger (rainy season is a reward that brings water to farmers), or simply money from winning a public game/competition. So, rewards don’t necessarily have to do with an achievement, but, remember, a reward is also frequently used with money or other prizes.

At PTTEP, we almost always use award, not reward because the company is recognizing good actions and behavior of our staff. “Reward” carries the idea of “money” more strongly than “award.”