Perpetrate and Perpetuate: Definition, Synonyms, and Usage
Perpetrate and Perpetuate – Definition and Part of Speech
The terms perpetrate and perpetuate are both verbs that denote different forms of continuance or maintenance in action.
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Perpetrate: To commit a harmful or criminal act. This term often conveys the sense of carrying out something negative.
Example: The company was accused of perpetrating fraud against its customers.
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Perpetuate: To cause something to continue indefinitely, especially an undesirable situation or practice. It can imply maintaining the status quo over time.
Example: Efforts are being made to perpetuate traditional crafts in rural communities.
Both words have regular verb forms: “to perpetrate” and “to perpetuate.”
Core Synonyms
Here is a table presenting synonyms for perpetrate and perpetuate, along with their nuances, example sentences, and style/register:
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commit | To perform an action, often used in serious contexts like crimes. | “He was charged with committing theft.” | Formal/Neutral |
| Carry out | To execute a plan or task; more general than perpetrate. | “The team carried out the project efficiently.” | Business/Formal |
| Maintain | To keep something in existence, similar to perpetuate but more neutral. | “They maintained peace through negotiation.” | Academic/Formal |
| Sustain | To support and prolong an activity or condition; often positive. | “The organization aims to sustain environmental conservation efforts.” | Formal/Academic |
| Propagate | Often refers to spreading ideas, beliefs, or practices. | “He worked to propagate his philosophical teachings.” | Literary/Informal |
| Instigate | To initiate or provoke an action, often with a negative connotation like perpetrate. | “She was accused of instigating the riot.” | Informal/Formal |
Usage Notes
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Commit: Best used in formal contexts involving serious actions such as crimes or significant undertakings.
Example: In legal documents, you might find references to committing felonies.
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Carry out: Suitable for both business and general settings where a task or plan is executed. It lacks the negative connotation of perpetrate.
Example: Business reports often describe projects that teams need to carry out.
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Maintain: Often used in academic writing when discussing keeping systems, ideas, or states ongoing. Neutral or positive.
Example: An essay might discuss how societies maintain cultural heritage.
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Sustain: Ideal for contexts where support and prolongation are central themes, such as environmental studies or health sciences.
Example: In a sustainability report, you could read about efforts to sustain biodiversity.
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Propagate: Typically used in more literary or informal discussions about spreading ideas, beliefs, or even plants and animals.
Example: A cultural article might explore how folklore propagates through generations.
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Instigate: Frequently appears in both informal and formal narratives involving provocation or initiation of events, usually with a negative slant.
Example: In a news report, an activist might be said to instigate protests.
Common Pitfalls
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Perpetrate vs. Perpetuate Confusion: Remember that perpetrate is often linked to harmful actions (e.g., crimes), while perpetuate refers to maintaining or continuing situations or practices.
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Synonym Context Misuse: Using commit where carry out might be more appropriate can lead to overly formal or serious tones, especially in business settings.
Final Recap
In summary, while perpetrate and perpetuate both involve actions being carried on over time, they differ significantly in their connotations—negative for perpetrate and neutral/more neutral-positive for perpetuate. Their synonyms offer a range of nuances from formal to informal contexts:
- Commit and Instigate are suitable for serious or negative undertakings.
- Carry out, Maintain, and Sustain are versatile, often used in professional and academic settings.
- Propagate is best for spreading ideas or practices.
To enhance your vocabulary, consider using these synonyms in sentences to grasp their nuances better. Practicing in varied contexts—like writing business reports or crafting academic papers—will solidify understanding and application.