Allocate vs. Locate: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Allocate means to distribute resources or duties for a specific purpose, while locate means to find the position or place of something or someone.
Key Differences
Allocate refers to the action of distributing or assigning resources, such as time, money, or personnel, for a specific purpose or task. In contrast, locate involves identifying the position or place of someone or something, often implying a search or discovery process.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 29, 2023
Allocation is a strategic decision-making process, often used in contexts like budgeting or resource management, where specific amounts are designated for particular uses. Locating, on the other hand, is about discovery or determination of a location, and is key in fields like geography, navigation, and urban planning.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 29, 2023
When one allocates, they are dividing or earmarking resources, which can be tangible like funds or intangible like time. Locating, however, does not involve division but is about pinpointing or finding a specific place or entity within a space.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 29, 2023
Allocation often requires planning and decision-making, considering the optimal use of limited resources. Locating, in contrast, usually requires investigation or use of tools or methods to determine a position, such as maps, GPS, or search techniques.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 29, 2023
In essence, allocation is about the distribution of resources with a purpose or plan in mind, while locating is concerned with the discovery or identification of the position of objects or places.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 29, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Primary Action
Distributing or assigning resources
Finding the position or place
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Focus
Division and earmarking of resources
Discovery or determination of a location
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Requirement
Planning and decision-making
Investigation and use of location-finding tools
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Outcome
Allocation of resources for specific purposes
Identification of a specific place or position
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Allocate and Locate Definitions
Allocate
Setting aside resources like time or money for a specific goal.
She allocated two hours each day to study for her exams.
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Locate
Discovering the place of something lost or hidden.
After searching for hours, she finally located her lost keys.
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Nov 29, 2023
Allocate
To distribute resources for a specific purpose.
The committee decided to allocate more funds to the health sector.
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Nov 29, 2023
Locate
To find the position or place of something or someone.
The team was able to locate the missing hiker using GPS.
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Nov 29, 2023
Allocate
Assigning duties or resources to specific tasks or people.
The manager allocated the project tasks among the team members.
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Nov 29, 2023
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Locate
Identifying the location of an object or person.
Can you locate the nearest gas station on the map?
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Allocate
Earmarking funds or resources for a particular use.
A portion of the budget was allocated for research and development.
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Nov 29, 2023
Locate
Establishing the whereabouts of a specific item or individual.
The detective was able to locate the witness for the case.
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Nov 29, 2023
Allocate
To set apart for a special purpose; designate
Allocate a room to be used for storage.
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Oct 19, 2023
Locate
Determining the position of something within a given space.
The app helps users locate restaurants in their vicinity.
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Nov 29, 2023
Allocate
To distribute according to a plan; allot
Allocate rations for a week-long camping trip.
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Oct 19, 2023
Locate
To determine or specify the position or limits of
Locate Albany on the map.
Managed to locate the site of the old artists' colony.
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Oct 19, 2023
Allocate
To set aside for a purpose.
Please do not eat the meringue, as it is allocated for the dinner party tomorrow.
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Oct 19, 2023
Locate
To find by searching, examining, or experimenting
Locate the source of error.
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Oct 19, 2023
Allocate
To distribute according to a plan, generally followed by the adposition to.
The bulk of K–12 education funds are allocated to school districts that in turn pay for the cost of operating schools.
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Oct 19, 2023
Locate
To place at a certain location; station or situate
Locate an agent in Rochester.
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Oct 19, 2023
Allocate
(computing) To reserve a portion of memory for use by a computer program.
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Locate
To become established; settle
New businesses that have located in town.
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Allocate
Distribute according to a plan or set apart for a special purpose;
I am allocating a loaf of bread to everyone on a daily basis
I'm allocating the rations for the camping trip
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Oct 19, 2023
Locate
(transitive) To designate the site or place of; to define the limits of (Note: the designation may be purely descriptive: it need not be prescriptive.)
The council must locate the new hospital
To locate a mining claim
To locate (the land granted by) a land warrant
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Oct 19, 2023
Allocate
Apportioning something within a larger framework.
The organization allocated office space based on departmental needs.
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Nov 29, 2023
Locate
To place; to set in a particular spot or position.
The captives and emigrants whom he brought with him were located in the trans-Tiberine quarter.
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Oct 19, 2023
Locate
To designate the site or place of; to define the limits of; as, to locate a public building; to locate a mining claim; to locate (the land granted by) a land warrant.
That part of the body in which the sense of touch is located.
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Oct 19, 2023
Locate
To discover the location or site of; as, to locate the source of a radio transmission; to locate a leak; to locate the malfunction in a system.
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Locate
To place one's self; to take up one's residence; to settle; as, to locate in Seattle.
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Locate
Discover the location of; determine the place of; find by searching or examining;
Can you locate your cousins in the Midwest?
My search turned up nothing
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Oct 19, 2023
Locate
Determine or indicate the place, site, or limits of, as if by an instrument or by a survey;
Our sense of sight enables us to locate objects in space
Locate the boundaries of the property
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Locate
Assign a location to;
The company located some of their agents in Los Angeles
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Locate
Take up residence and become established;
The immigrants settled in the Midwest
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can locate refer to finding people?
Yes, it can mean finding people or objects.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 29, 2023
Is allocate used in financial contexts?
Yes, often in budgeting or resource management.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 29, 2023
What does locate mean?
To find the position or place of something or someone.
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Nov 29, 2023
What does allocate mean?
To distribute or assign resources for specific purposes.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can allocate be used for time management?
Yes, like allocating time for specific activities.
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Nov 29, 2023
How is allocate used in business?
For assigning tasks, resources, or budget allocations.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is locating a skill?
Yes, especially in navigation, research, or investigation.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can you locate ideas or concepts?
Metaphorically, yes, like locating a flaw in an argument.
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Does allocate imply planning?
Yes, it often involves decision-making and planning.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is locating always about physical spaces?
Mostly, but it can also refer to abstract concepts.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can allocate be used in a personal context?
Yes, like allocating personal finances or time.
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Nov 29, 2023
Can locating be challenging?
Yes, especially in complex or unfamiliar environments.
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What's a key aspect of allocation in organizations?
Fair and effective distribution of resources.
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Nov 29, 2023
Is locating important in emergency services?
Yes, crucial for finding people or places quickly.
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What's a common mistake in allocation?
Misallocating resources, leading to inefficiencies.
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Nov 29, 2023
What skills enhance locating abilities?
Observation, analysis, and familiarity with tools.
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Nov 29, 2023
Are there digital tools for allocation?
Yes, like budgeting apps or project management software.
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Nov 29, 2023
How does allocation affect productivity?
Proper allocation can greatly enhance efficiency.
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Nov 29, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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