perpetrated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perpetrated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of carrying out or committing a harmful, illegal, or immoral action. Example: "The crime was perpetrated under the cover of darkness, leaving the authorities baffled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The crime in this troubling work of art is not being perpetrated by "rioters", but by the police.

The Guardian - Arts

He said the pontiff's decision to refer to the mass killing of Armenians along with crimes perpetrated by Nazism and Stalinism gave the Vatican's "highest sanction" to genocide recognition.

The Guardian

If you want respect, you have to earn it.'" If you travel in a city during rush hour, the chances are you will have seen someone on a bicycle pull a stunt that, had it been perpetrated by a car driver, would have seen them dragged from the wheel and strung from the nearest lamp-post.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The last is commonly regarded to have been at Coniston, Northern Territory, in 1928 – notwithstanding the countless other acts of extreme violence (including custodial deaths) inextricably linked to colonialism, that have since been perpetrated against Indigenous Australians.

The Guardian

But the thousands of cases we can now access can reinforce international political will and practice in facing the crimes now being perpetrated in the Middle East and elsewhere".

The Guardian

Jonathan's comments on Thursday echoed those earlier in the week of the US president, Barack Obama, who said the Chibok kidnappings "may be the event that helps to mobilise the entire international community to finally do something against this horrendous organisation that has perpetrated such a terrible crime".

The Guardian

"We are not, of course, suggesting that the man who perpetrated these crimes was, in any ordinary sense of the words, normal or average.

The Guardian

A spokesman for the outraged Qatari government believes the country has suffered reputational damage because of the "myth" perpetrated by the blog.

The Guardian

Previewing Palin's detailed description of the horrors perpetrated by Isis fighters and other avatars of what the speakers derided the president for not identifying as "radical Islamic terror", Jindal said Obama had "disqualified" himself as the country's leader.

The Guardian

Referring to wars and violent confrontations from Syria to Nigeria and the Philippines, Blair, writing in the Observer, argues that "there is one thing self-evidently in common: the acts of terrorism are perpetrated by people motivated by an abuse of religion.

The Guardian

"The scale of viciousness of the abuses being perpetrated by elements on both sides almost defies belief," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perpetrated" when you want to emphasize the execution of a wrongdoing or crime, particularly when describing actions that are intentional and harmful. It adds a formal and serious tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "perpetrated" in casual or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "committed" or "did" to maintain a natural tone. "Perpetrated" is better suited for formal reports, news articles, and academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The word "perpetrated" functions as a past participle of the verb perpetrate. It describes an action, typically a crime or wrongdoing, that has been carried out. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "perpetrated" is a past participle verb used to describe the act of carrying out a crime or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and usable in written English, lending a formal and serious tone to any text. While semantically close to alternatives like committed, carried out, and executed, "perpetrated" is most frequently found in news and media contexts. Therefore, while grammatically sound, it is best to avoid this word in more casual and informal settings to maintain an appropriate style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

committed

Indicates the act of carrying out or performing an action, often a crime or wrongdoing. This is the simplest and most direct alternative.

carried out

Emphasizes the execution or completion of an action, often suggesting a plan or intention behind it.

executed

Highlights the planned and deliberate nature of the act, implying precision and purpose.

inflicted

Focuses on the act of causing harm or suffering to someone or something.

wreaked

Implies causing large-scale damage or destruction.

effected

Stresses the accomplishment or bringing about of a result, though often with a negative connotation in this context.

performed

Suggests a formal or deliberate execution of an action.

enacted

Emphasizes the formal or legal nature of the action, often in the context of laws or policies.

realized

Highlights the bringing of something into existence or actuality, often implying a plan or intention.

prosecuted

Specifically refers to pursuing legal action against someone for a crime.

FAQs

What does "perpetrated" mean?

"Perpetrated" means to carry out or commit a harmful, illegal, or immoral action.

What can I say instead of "perpetrated"?

You can use alternatives like "committed", "carried out", or "executed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "perpetrated" or "committed"?

Both "perpetrated" and "committed" are correct, but "perpetrated" is more formal and typically used for serious wrongdoings.

How to use "perpetrated" in a sentence?

Example: "The crime was perpetrated under the cover of darkness, leaving the authorities baffled."