pervades

USAGE SUMMARY

'pervades' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a verb to indicate an action or phenomenon that extends throughout an area or entity. For example, "The smell of baking cookies pervades the entire house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Economist

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Consequently, what pervades is a slightly unnerving stillness.

The Guardian - Travel

Yet the influence of Griffin and Mahony's work pervades Australia's most significant public building, the Parliament House created by Romaldo Giurgola almost 70 years later.

The Guardian

He says this with genuine concern, if perhaps a hint of the gallows humour that pervades all hospitals.

The Guardian

"The reason we won the award is that character building pervades everything we do," headteacher Gary Lewis tells me.

The Guardian

In other words, it is a legitimised form of structural violence that pervades our everyday, is dependent on particular gendered notions and practices and is not merely restricted to wars and conflicts.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Terror pervades party HQs when a new outfit emerges.

The Guardian

Rooms from £300, [phone], mandarinoriental.com/bangkok A sense of buoyant calm pervades throughout this five-star luxury hotel.

The Guardian - Travel

Religion pervades the public sphere, and studies show that non-believers are more distrusted than other minorities.Several states still ban atheists from holding public office.

The Economist

Mr Piëch's passion for engineering pervades the group.

The Economist

A whiff of setting cement and fresh paint pervades Natal's new terminal.

The Economist

In his analysis of individual directors and their films, Mr Gilbey strips away the encrusted clichés by writing paradoxically about undercurrents of existentialism in "American Graffiti" and the disgust with daily life that pervades Steven Spielberg's work.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pervades" to describe an atmosphere, feeling, or influence that spreads throughout something, creating a particular tone or quality.

Common error

Avoid using "pervades" when describing the physical location of objects. Instead of saying "the books pervade the shelf", which implies the books are somehow infused into the shelf, use more direct language like "the books are on the shelf."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pervades" is that of a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form. It describes an action of something spreading through or being present throughout an area or entity. Ludwig examples show how "pervades" connects a subject (e.g., feeling, influence) with the entity it spreads through.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pervades" is a grammatically correct verb that describes something spreading throughout or being present everywhere within a given space or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While "pervades" is a formal word, it should be used to describe an intangible feeling, idea, or influence instead of something physical. Consider related words like "permeates", "suffuses", or "imbues" to find the most fitting term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permeates

Indicates a more literal spreading or diffusion through something.

suffuses

Suggests a gradual spreading that fills or covers something completely.

imbues

Implies filling something with a quality or feeling.

infuses

Similar to imbues, but often suggests a more active introduction of a quality.

is saturated with

Emphasizes that something is completely filled or soaked with something else.

is rife with

Suggests that something is widespread and often undesirable.

is characterized by

Focuses on a dominant feature or quality that is consistently present.

is steeped in

Implies that something is deeply ingrained or influenced by something else.

overspreads

Indicates something that covers or spreads over the surface of something else.

extends throughout

Simply states that something reaches or affects all parts of something.

FAQs

How can I use "pervades" in a sentence?

Use "pervades" to describe a feeling, idea, or influence that is present throughout something. For example, "A sense of calm "pervades" the room."

What are some alternatives to using "pervades"?

You can use alternatives like "permeates", "suffuses", or "imbues" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something "pervades" a physical space?

While technically correct, "pervades" is best used to describe intangible qualities or influences rather than the physical presence of objects. Consider using more direct language to describe physical arrangements.

What's the difference between "pervades" and "permeates"?

"Pervades" suggests a widespread influence or presence, while "permeates" often implies a more literal spreading or diffusion through something. The choice depends on whether you are describing a general atmosphere or a physical process.