pervasiveness

USAGE SUMMARY

"pervasiveness" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to mean the quality or state of being pervasive, which means to spread widely or be present throughout. For example, you can say, "The pervasiveness of the coronavirus has impacted the lives of many."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fuel tankers, which feature prominently in many doomsday scenarios, are robustly constructed and do not carry their cargo in volatile forms, for obvious reasons.On the other hand, the pervasiveness of piracy in the area proves that shipping is vulnerable to less apocalyptic assaults.

The Economist

That makes one stereotype about Italy, the pervasiveness of graft, hard to banish.

The Economist

The pervasiveness of slavery, the lateness of its abolition, and the fact that nothing was done to turn former slaves into citizens all combined to have a profound impact on Brazilian society.

The Economist

Even comparisons between areas with and without microcredit may be misleading, because microlenders naturally choose to work in areas where their prospects of success are the greatest.The pervasiveness of these self-selection issues has led researchers to devise experiments that allow them to ensure that participation in a programme is determined essentially by chance.

The Economist

Companies that try to "buy happiness" often end up with "a deal culture where everything is for sale and everything can be bargained".America's extraordinary lack of wage inflation—$7 has been the hourly rate for a supermarket worker for nearly a decade is testament to the pervasiveness of this thinking.

The Economist

Its president, John Beirise, a non-Indian formerly with Continental Bank in Chicago and Mercantile Bank in St Louis, says that one of his unexpected challenges has been "the pervasiveness of politics" in Native American communities and the way it slows change.Indeed, some say that tribal politics and legal issues hinder Indians' economic advance more than a lack of banks does.

The Economist

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | ThursdayFridayRelated items Thai politicsJan 7th 2008 Thailand: Counting Thaksin's blessingsJan 3rd 2008 Thailand's election: South-East Asia's Pakistan?Dec 19th 2007 Thailand's election: The indestructible Mr ThaksinNov 1st 2007FINDING signs of globalisation's pervasiveness in and around Ubon Ratchathani is easy.

The Economist

The entire mezzogiorno gets a mere 1% of Italy's already low share of such investment.Perhaps the biggest concern of all is the pervasiveness of organised crime.

The Economist

It is a rich and highly flexible means of communicating that is rapidly achieving pervasiveness because more and more people find it easy and convenient to use.

The Economist

Voice mail may give the wrong time-stamp, as might a fax machine.Nevertheless, the unpredictability and pervasiveness of such chips worry even the best-prepared managers.

The Economist

Is the pervasiveness of corruption, a problem common to most countries in South-East Asia, at last getting a proper airing?The region is certainly awash with celebrated corruption cases.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pervasiveness" when you want to emphasize that something is not just present but also deeply integrated or widespread within a system or society. It adds a layer of depth compared to simpler terms like "presence" or "occurrence".

Common error

Avoid using "pervasiveness" in contexts where simpler words like "commonness" or "frequency" would suffice. "Pervasiveness" carries a connotation of deep and extensive presence, so using it in trivial situations can sound pretentious or out of place.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pervasiveness" is as a noun, specifically a noun of quality. Ludwig confirms that it describes the state or quality of being pervasive. The examples show it used to describe the extent of different phenomena.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

9%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pervasiveness" functions as a noun that describes the quality of being widespread and deeply integrated. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Its frequency across news, encyclopedias, and scientific texts highlights its role in formal and analytical communication. While highly useful, remember that simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in less formal contexts. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively leverage "pervasiveness" to convey the intended depth and scope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pervasive influence

Focuses specifically on the influence that something has.

widespread presence

Focuses on the extent of being present across a large area or group.

extensive reach

Highlights the broad scope and influence of something.

rampant spread

Emphasizes the uncontrolled and rapid manner in which something spreads.

universal extent

Suggests that something applies or exists everywhere without exception.

deep penetration

Focuses on how deeply something has entered or affected a system or society.

thorough diffusion

Indicates a complete and even distribution of something.

general occurrence

Highlights the common and frequent nature of something happening.

broad incidence

Refers to the frequency with which something occurs within a population or area.

commonness

Simply indicates how common something is.

FAQs

How do you use "pervasiveness" in a sentence?

You can use "pervasiveness" to describe the extent to which something is spread throughout an area or system. For example, "The "pervasiveness of technology" in modern life is undeniable."

What can I say instead of "pervasiveness"?

Alternatives include "widespread presence", "extensive reach", or "rampant spread", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "pervasiveness" in a formal context?

Yes, "pervasiveness" is suitable for formal contexts, particularly in academic or professional writing, where a precise and descriptive term is needed.

What's the difference between "prevalence" and "pervasiveness"?

"Prevalence" refers to how common something is, while "pervasiveness" suggests a deeper, more integrated presence. You might talk about the "prevalence of a disease", but the "pervasiveness of social media".