permeate through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "permeate through" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to mean that something passes through something else. For example, you could say, "The smell of the stew permeated through the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That began to permeate through the club.

The New York Times - Sports

It did not seem to permeate through to Roy.

The Guardian - Sport

It's easy to manipulate and the smoke will permeate through the cloth.

The New York Times

The outer membrane is very porous so that the CoA thioesters freely permeate through it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"None of these ions can permeate through α-graphyne, β-graphyne and graphyne-3," they say.

MIT Technology Review

The resulting perturbations to the earth system permeate through and impact ecological and human systems.

Yale University

Take care not to let the onions brown or the burnt taste will permeate through the whole curry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is an organisation whose products permeate through the airwaves of the national consciousness into our minds.

The Guardian

In addition, more than 80% of NaCl and 90% of Na2SO4 permeate through the membrane.

Chemical Engineering Science

It suggests that ideas permeate through bodies and exert themselves to exist, and that the host is just a host.

The New York Times

Water was found to permeate through GO membranes faster than various alcohols.

Carbon

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "permeate through" when you want to emphasize that something is not only passing through a barrier, but also influencing or affecting what's on the other side. For example, "The company's values should permeate through all levels of the organization."

Common error

Avoid using "permeate through" excessively in abstract or metaphorical contexts where simpler verbs like 'influence' or 'affect' would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The feeling of dread permeated through the room," consider "The feeling of dread filled the room."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "permeate through" functions as a verb phrase, typically describing how something spreads or passes through another entity. Ludwig examples show it used in both physical and abstract contexts, indicating its versatile nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "permeate through" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb phrase signifying the act of something passing through and influencing something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for both physical and abstract contexts, lending versatility to its usage. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and business-related sources, it assumes a neutral to formal register. While effective in conveying gradual passage and influence, avoid overusing it in abstract contexts where simpler alternatives could enhance clarity. Consider related phrases like "pass through" or "spread through" based on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spread through

Highlights the expansive nature of the movement, suggesting a broad distribution.

pass through

Focuses on the act of physical passage, lacking the sense of influence or spreading that "permeate through" has.

diffuse through

Emphasizes a gradual spreading or scattering throughout, highlighting the dispersive aspect.

penetrate

Implies a forceful entry or piercing, suggesting a more abrupt and invasive process.

pervade

Indicates being present and apparent throughout, lacking the sense of movement of "permeate through".

seep through

Suggests a slow, gradual leakage or oozing, emphasizing the gradualness of the movement.

filter through

Implies a process of selection or purification as something passes through a medium.

infiltrate

Suggests a subtle or stealthy entry, often with a negative connotation of intrusion.

saturate

Indicates a complete filling or soaking, emphasizing the thoroughness of the permeation.

imbue

Implies a deep and lasting influence or effect, suggesting a transformative quality.

FAQs

How can I use "permeate through" in a sentence?

"Permeate through" describes something passing through and affecting something else, as in, "The new regulations will "permeate through" all departments." It's suitable when emphasizing influence during passage.

What are some alternatives to "permeate through"?

Depending on the context, you could use "pass through", "spread through", or "diffuse through". Each carries a slightly different nuance regarding the manner and intensity of the passage.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "permeate through"?

While grammatically correct, overusing ""permeate through"" in very abstract contexts can make your writing sound awkward. Simpler words like 'influence' or 'affect' might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "permeate through" and "pervade"?

"Permeate through" implies movement and passage, whereas "pervade" suggests a more static, all-encompassing presence. For example, "The smell of smoke permeated through the building" versus "A sense of unease pervaded the meeting."