perpetuate
C1-C2 / Academic VocabularyFormal, Academic, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
To cause something (typically an undesirable situation, belief, or system) to continue indefinitely.
To preserve or extend the existence or memory of something; to keep something from being forgotten or discontinued.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often carries a negative or neutral connotation, implying the continuation of something problematic, outdated, or unwanted. Can be neutral or positive when used in contexts of preserving memory or tradition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage patterns. Spelling and pronunciation follow standard regional rules.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in academic texts in both varieties; equally common in formal writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Perpetuate + [noun phrase] (transitive)Be perpetuated + [by phrase] (passive)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Perpetuate the vicious circle/cycle”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Critiques of practices that perpetuate gender pay gaps or inefficient hierarchies.
Academic
Analysing social structures that perpetuate poverty or historical narratives that perpetuate national myths.
Everyday
Discussing media tropes that perpetuate beauty standards or family traditions one wishes to perpetuate.
Technical
In law: perpetuate testimony; in conservation: efforts to perpetuate a species.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new policy risks perpetuating regional disparities.
- We must not perpetuate these outdated stereotypes.
- The memorial was built to perpetuate the memory of the fallen.
American English
- The law inadvertently perpetuates systemic racism.
- Celebrating that holiday perpetuates a tradition from our founders.
- Sensationalist news perpetuates public fear.
adverb
British English
- N/A (The adverb form is 'perpetually', not derived from 'perpetuate').
American English
- N/A (The adverb form is 'perpetually', not derived from 'perpetuate').
adjective
British English
- N/A (The adjective form is 'perpetual', not 'perpetuate').
American English
- N/A (The adjective form is 'perpetual', not 'perpetuate').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Bad rumours can perpetuate false information.
- The family wanted to perpetuate their grandfather's story.
- Such media coverage only serves to perpetuate harmful stereotypes about immigrants.
- The scholarship was established to perpetuate the founder's commitment to education.
- The economic model perpetuates a cycle of debt and dependency among developing nations.
- Historical narratives that glorify empire often perpetuate a one-sided view of colonial history.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PERmanent' + 'PET'. Imagine a permanent pet you must keep forever, thus continuing its existence.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTINUATION IS FORWARD MOTION / PRESERVATION IS KEEPING ALIVE
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid calquing with 'перпетуировать' (extremely rare, archaic). The correct translations are 'увековечивать' (positive, to immortalize), 'поддерживать (что-то негативное)' (to sustain something negative), 'сохранять (проблему)' (to preserve a problem). The word often implies an active, often unconscious, role in continuing something bad.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'perpetrate' (to commit a crime). Incorrect: 'He perpetuated a robbery.' Correct: 'He perpetrated a robbery.' / Using it in an exclusively positive sense without context: 'She perpetuated world peace' is unusual. 'She perpetuated his memory' is acceptable.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'perpetuate' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but it is most frequently used in negative contexts (perpetuate inequality, a myth). It can be neutral or positive when referring to preserving a memory, tradition, or legacy.
'Perpetrate' means to carry out or commit (a harmful, illegal, or immoral act), like a crime. 'Perpetuate' means to cause something to continue. You *perpetrate* a crime but *perpetuate* a problem.
Yes, it can. For example: 'The government is perpetuating a system that fails the poor.'
The most common noun is 'perpetuation' (e.g., the perpetuation of myths). 'Perpetuity' is a related noun meaning the state of lasting forever, but it is not the direct action noun.