perpetrate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perpetrate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of committing or carrying out a harmful, illegal, or immoral act. Example: "The criminals planned to perpetrate a series of bank robberies over the summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Employees working in uninspiring jobs may be tempted to enact destructive behaviour as a source of stimulation, whereas individuals stressed out by heavy workloads may perpetrate bullying to cope with frustration or to assert personal control.

The Guardian

"Some 7% of the population perpetrate most of the violence in our jails.

The Guardian

"In the last few weeks we have put extra money – over £100m – into specifically monitoring people going to conflicts in Syria and Iraq, these self-starting terrorists who get their ideas off the internet and then go and want to perpetrate horrendous crimes," he told the BBC.

The Guardian

Despite continuing efforts to criminalise this practice, those who perpetrate this crime in countries such as Niger and Mauritania routinely go unpunished.

The Guardian - Opinion

This reflux is a worry for security services in France (home of the European Union's largest Muslim population) and across the continent, precisely because, newly expert and inflamed, the returnees can perpetrate commando-style attacks like that on Charlie Hebdo.

The Economist

To use the memory of a terrible crime to perpetrate further crime is to dishonour the original victim and ourselves.

The Economist

This was because the church had put the priest in a position where he could perpetrate abuse, creating a relationship similar to employment.

The Economist

The main aim should be to make frauds easier to detect and harder to perpetrate.

The Economist

He charged that Mr Arafat radiates "encouragement, instructions and winks" to the terrorists to perpetrate their crimes and that it was pointless expecting the more moderate Mr Abbas to take the kind of action that was needed.

The Economist

Rumour links ministers from several coalition parties to criminal groups that perpetrate most of Nepal's violence, as well as to the opium-poppy farming which has recently spread in the increasingly lawless south.So far the protests have remained mostly peaceful but clashes are occurring, tempers are fraying and hardliners on all sides are itching for a fight.

The Economist

Mr de Villepin said this week that he would stiffen the law so as to punish those who are "involved in and encourage" such attacks, not only those who perpetrate them.Criminologists say that these ambushes share a common feature with some of last year's riots, in which schools, post offices and gyms were torched: they are all assaults on symbols of the state.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perpetrate" when you want to emphasize the act of committing a crime, fraud, or other serious wrongdoing. It carries a stronger connotation than simply "commit".

Common error

Avoid confusing "perpetrate" with "perpetuate". "Perpetrate" means to commit, while "perpetuate" means to make something continue indefinitely. For example, a criminal perpetrates a crime, while a rumor is perpetuated by gossip.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "perpetrate" is that of a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating the action of committing or carrying out something, typically an undesirable or illegal act. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perpetrate" is a transitive verb used to describe the act of committing something, typically a crime or wrongdoing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and frequently used in news and formal writing. While similar to "commit", it often implies a more deliberate or calculated action. Common errors include confusing it with "perpetuate". For effective writing, use "perpetrate" when highlighting responsibility for a serious act and avoid using it for minor mistakes. Top authoritative sources include The Economist, The Guardian, and Encyclopedia Britannica, suggesting its relevance in journalistic and academic spheres.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commit

Indicates performing an action, especially something illegal or morally wrong; a more general term.

carry out

Implies executing a plan or order, often with a sense of purpose or intent.

execute

Suggests performing a task or action, sometimes with precision or force, often implying a formal or legal context.

enact

Refers to performing or acting out something, such as a law or role; often used in a theatrical or legal sense.

inflict

Emphasizes causing something unpleasant or painful to be suffered by someone or something.

perpetuate

Highlights the act of causing something to continue indefinitely, often a negative situation or belief.

perform

A general term for carrying out an action, sometimes used in a ceremonial or artistic context.

be responsible for

Indicates being the cause or origin of something, often used in a context of accountability.

be guilty of

Specifically denotes culpability in relation to an offense or crime.

bring about

Suggests causing something to happen or come into existence, often implying indirect causation.

FAQs

How to use "perpetrate" in a sentence?

Use "perpetrate" to describe the act of committing a crime, error, or evil deed. For example, "The terrorists planned to perpetrate a heinous act of violence".

What can I say instead of "perpetrate"?

You can use alternatives like "commit", "carry out", or "execute" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "perpetrate" and "commit"?

"Perpetrate" and "commit" are similar, but "perpetrate" often implies a more calculated or deliberate act, especially one that is harmful or illegal. "Commit" is a more general term.

Is it correct to say "perpetrate a mistake"?

While less common, it is acceptable to use "perpetrate" in the context of a significant error or blunder, especially if it has serious consequences. However, using "commit" might be more suitable for minor mistakes.