perpetuate

USAGE SUMMARY

'perpetuate' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It means to keep something going or existing, usually over a long period of time. For example, you could say "The company's mission is to perpetuate a culture of innovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But to publicly perpetuate the myth that Widyan was let go to hire anyone else (of any ethnic background) is wrong.

The Guardian

Jenkins's bonus policies recently faced criticism from the former boss of investment bank JP Cazenove, Robert Pickering, who said investments would perpetuate the myth of the "death spiral".

The Guardian - Business

But in many cases, these women found other ways to perpetuate their own surnames, thus cheating the companion tradition that had arisen from that of the wife taking her husband's surname: that of the children inheriting the paternal surname, too.

The Guardian - Books

They take a job from an actor who genuinely has that characteristic, and, in doing so, perpetuate that group's under-representation in the industry.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is managed and organised around corporate interests, which promote elitism and perpetuate inequality.

The Guardian

"Our democracies are increasingly captured by a ruling class that seeks to perpetuate its privileges," Hilton wrote.

The Guardian - Business

This is Cambodia, but it could be anywhere in the developing world, because Suan and her family are trapped in an all too ubiquitous cycle: they are ensnared in a vicious circle in which poverty obstructs education, creating illiteracy and a lack of skills which, in turn, perpetuate poverty and so on ceaselessly until some external factor disrupts this pattern.

The Guardian

They often encourage dress codes like "slag and drag" or "CEOs and corporate hoes", which perpetuate the subordinate status of women and the dominant role of men in society.

The Guardian

They fought for control of the government in Kiev, but all had the same basic interest: to perpetuate chaos.

The Guardian - Opinion

That strength has propelled us and the business forward, it's been a great big cultural hug in a way – which has helped to perpetuate it.

The Guardian

And how do you perpetuate the myth?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perpetuate" when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of something, especially when it's something negative or undesirable, like "perpetuating a myth".

Common error

Avoid confusing "perpetuate", which means to continue something, with "perpetrate", which means to commit something, often a crime. While both words share a root, their meanings are distinct.

Linguistic Context

The verb "perpetuate" functions primarily to express the act of causing something to continue or prolong its existence, often referring to abstract concepts, systems, or beliefs. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable. For example, "to perpetuate a myth" or "to perpetuate inequality".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perpetuate" is a verb that means to cause something to continue, often over a prolonged period. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, noting its consistent usage across diverse contexts. The word is most commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When writing, be mindful not to confuse it with "perpetrate", and consider using synonyms like "sustain" or "prolong" to add variety to your writing. Common usage involves describing the continuation of negative cycles or beliefs, such as "perpetuating inequality". This guide offers practical advice to enhance your writing and avoid common mistakes when using the word "perpetuate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustain

Focuses on maintaining something at a certain level or standard.

prolong

Emphasizes extending the duration of something.

maintain

Highlights keeping something in its current state.

preserve

Stresses protecting something from harm or change.

continue

Simply indicates the ongoing nature of something.

keep alive

Focuses on preventing something from dying or disappearing.

carry on

Implies continuing something despite difficulties.

foster

Suggests actively encouraging the growth or development of something.

bolster

Implies to support or strengthen something

reinforce

Focuses on strengthening or supporting an existing structure or belief.

FAQs

How can I use "perpetuate" in a sentence?

You can use "perpetuate" to describe the act of causing something to continue, often something negative, such as "These policies only "perpetuate inequality"".

What's a good alternative to the word "perpetuate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "sustain", "prolong", or "maintain" as alternatives to "perpetuate".

Is it correct to say "perpetuate the cycle"?

Yes, it is correct. "Perpetuate the cycle" is a common phrase, often used to describe the continuation of a recurring pattern, such as a cycle of poverty or violence.

What is the difference between "perpetuate" and "maintain"?

"Perpetuate" implies causing something to continue, often with effort, while "maintain" simply means to keep something in its existing state without necessarily implying active effort to prolong it. Consider using "maintain" for status quo and "perpetuate" for prolonged action.