perpetrate abuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perpetrate abuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing acts of violence, mistreatment, or wrongdoing, particularly in legal or social discussions. Example: "The investigation revealed that the organization had been found to perpetrate abuse against its employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Another critical element of safety-planning with survivors is working with them to address other life and community-generated risks, which abusers frequently exploit to further perpetrate abuse.

HuffPost

Ideas intended to help Americans resist abuse spread to Americans who used them to perpetrate abuse.

The New Yorker

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

'If a child is accused of being a witch and that accusation is endorsed by the church, it gives people leeway to perpetrate abuse on that child.

The Guardian

Peter Kyle, the Labour MP for Hove, said: "The family courts are being used to perpetrate abuse against extremely vulnerable women … One of my constituents has been cross-examined by her former partner on three separate occasions, the man who beat her, broke her bones and battered her unconscious".

The Guardian

While there is no suggestion that anything but a small minority of those who voted to leave have gone on to perpetrate abuse, it also seemed that some voters believed the referendum result had sent a message that it was a protest against any kind of immigration.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It is entirely possible to build one's brand on overt sensuality without perpetrating abuse.

The New Yorker

Finally, we further examined gender-linked transmission of risk by considering both the gender of the parent perpetrating abuse and the gender of the adolescent.

Child Abuse & Neglect

US research (pdf) has found that in more than two thirds of cases, co-workers are aware that a colleague is perpetrating abuse.

The Guardian

Others environmental factors, including where asylum seekers who are alleged to have perpetrated abuse are allowed to stay, also fall within Australia's control.

The Guardian

The BBC notes that Rippon had said there was no evidence that anybody from Duncroft approved school, where Savile appears to have perpetrated abuse in the 1970s, "could or should" have known about the allegations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical issues, use "perpetrate abuse" to convey a formal and precise understanding of the act. This phrase is especially effective when the context requires a serious and authoritative tone.

Common error

Avoid using "perpetrate abuse" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "commit abuse" or "be abusive" are more appropriate for everyday language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perpetrate abuse" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating the action of committing abuse. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perpetrate abuse" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of committing abuse. While it is deemed correct and usable by Ludwig, it is more appropriate for formal contexts, such as legal documents, academic papers, and news reports. Its function is to describe actions clearly, assign blame and demand accountability. More informal settings may benefit from alternatives such as "commit abuse" or "engage in abuse". Its frequency is uncommon as the results indicates.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commit abuse

Uses a more common verb with similar meaning.

inflict abuse

Emphasizes the act of causing harm or suffering.

carry out abuse

Highlights the execution or performance of abusive acts.

engage in abuse

Focuses on the involvement or participation in abusive behavior.

perform acts of abuse

More descriptive, specifying the nature of the actions.

be abusive

Shifts the focus to the characteristic of being abusive.

practice abuse

Implies habitual or repeated acts of abuse.

cause abuse

Highlights the act of initiating or bringing about abuse.

foster abuse

Suggests creating an environment where abuse can occur.

promote abuse

Implies actively encouraging or supporting abusive behavior.

FAQs

What does "perpetrate abuse" mean?

"Perpetrate abuse" means to commit or carry out acts of violence, mistreatment, or wrongdoing. It is often used in formal or legal contexts to describe serious offenses.

Is it better to say "perpetrate abuse" or "commit abuse"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "perpetrate abuse" is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts. "Commit abuse" is a more common and generally acceptable alternative in less formal settings.

How can I use "perpetrate abuse" in a sentence?

You can use "perpetrate abuse" in sentences like: "The investigation revealed that the organization had been found to perpetrate abuse against its employees" or "Individuals who perpetrate abuse should be held accountable for their actions."

What are some alternatives to "perpetrate abuse"?

Alternatives to "perpetrate abuse" include "commit abuse", "inflict abuse", or "engage in abuse". The best choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.