Perpetuate vs. Perpetrate – Which is Correct?

While often confused due to their similar sounds and spellings, perpetuate and perpetrate have distinct meanings. Perpetuate means to make something continue indefinitely, such as an idea or a myth. Perpetrate means to carry out or commit a harmful, illegal, or immoral act, like a crime or a hoax.

Perpetuate or Perpetrate – Which is Correct?

Both perpetuate and perpetrate are correct and valid words in American English, but they are not interchangeable. The confusion often arises from their similar prefixes and the shared “perpet-” stem, leading to a phonetic mix-up. The key to distinguishing them lies in their distinct suffixes and the type of action they describe:

• Perpetu-ate: To make perpetual, or to continue. Think of “perpetual motion” – something that goes on and on.
• Perpetr-ate: To commit an act, usually one that is negative or criminal. Think of a “perpetrator” – the one who commits the act.

A simple “swap test” can help: If you’re talking about an action that someone commits, use perpetrate. If you’re talking about making something continue, use perpetuate.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Perpetuate	Verb	To make something continue indefinitely; to preserve from extinction or oblivion.	The traditions help perpetuate the cultural heritage.
Perpetrate	Verb	To carry out or commit (a harmful, illegal, or immoral action).	The criminal managed to perpetrate the fraud undetected.

How to Use Perpetuate

The verb perpetuate means to make something continue indefinitely, often in a positive or neutral context, but sometimes in a negative one when referring to undesirable cycles or stereotypes. It implies an ongoing action that ensures the longevity or persistence of something, whether an idea, a system, a memory, or a tradition. It is typically used formally.

Example 1: The stories passed down through generations help to perpetuate the family’s legacy.

Example 2: Ignoring the problem will only perpetuate the cycle of poverty in the community.

Example 3: Museums are vital institutions that perpetuate knowledge and cultural artifacts for future generations.

What are the different forms of Perpetuate?

As a regular verb, perpetuate follows standard conjugation rules:

• Present Tense: perpetuate (I perpetuate), perpetuates (he/she/it perpetuates)
• Past Tense: perpetuated
• Present Participle: perpetuating
• Past Participle: perpetuated
• Noun Form: perpetuation

Etymology of the word Perpetuate

The word perpetuate comes from the Latin word perpetuatus, the past participle of perpetuare, meaning “to make perpetual.” This, in turn, derives from perpetuus, meaning “continuous, universal.” It entered English in the late 16th century.

How to Use Perpetrate

The verb perpetrate is used exclusively to describe the act of committing or carrying out an action, almost always one that is negative, wrongful, or criminal. It implies responsibility for initiating a harmful deed. It is a formal verb, often found in legal or journalistic contexts when discussing crimes, hoaxes, or serious offenses.

Similarly, understanding the nuances between words like prosecute and persecute is crucial for precise communication in legal and formal writing.

Example 1: The hacker attempted to perpetrate a large-scale data breach against the corporation.

Example 2: It is difficult to understand why someone would perpetrate such a cruel hoax on innocent people.

Example 3: The police are still searching for the individual who managed to perpetrate the bank robbery.

What are the different forms of Perpetrate?

As a regular verb, perpetrate follows standard conjugation rules:

• Present Tense: perpetrate (I perpetrate), perpetrates (he/she/it perpetrates)
• Past Tense: perpetrated
• Present Participle: perpetrating
• Past Participle: perpetrated
• Noun Form: perpetrator (the person who commits the act)

Etymology of the word Perpetrate

The word perpetrate comes from the Latin word perpetratus, the past participle of perpetrare, meaning “to perform, achieve, carry out.” This is formed from per- (“through, thoroughly”) and patrare (“to bring about, accomplish”). It entered English in the late 15th century, initially with a broader meaning of “to perform,” but later narrowed to its current negative connotation.

Related Concepts

Understanding the distinction between perpetuate and perpetrate can be clarified by considering the nature of the “object” each verb takes. Perpetuate typically takes abstract nouns or ongoing states as its object (e.g., traditions, myths, cycles, memories, a feeling). It’s about maintaining or continuing something that already exists or is initiated. In contrast, perpetrate almost exclusively takes concrete actions, crimes, or specific negative deeds as its object (e.g., a crime, a fraud, a hoax, an injustice). It’s about initiating or carrying out a distinct, often harmful, event.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” This famous quote, often attributed to Edmund Burke, implies that inaction can perpetuate injustice.
• In news reports, journalists frequently use perpetrate when describing criminal acts: “Authorities are investigating who could perpetrate such a brazen attack in broad daylight.”
• From a historical text: “The ancient rituals were designed to perpetuate the memory of the fallen heroes, ensuring their deeds would not be forgotten.”
• In a novel, a character might lament: “His constant negativity only serves to perpetuate a gloomy atmosphere in the house.”
• A legal document might state: “The defendant was found guilty of conspiring to perpetrate a sophisticated financial scam.”

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The gossip only served to __________ the misunderstanding between the friends.
2. The detective vowed to find the person who would __________ such a heinous crime.
3. By sharing old stories, we __________ the legacy of our ancestors.
4. It’s irresponsible to __________ rumors without verifying the facts.
5. The government introduced policies to __________ economic stability.

Answer Key

1. perpetuate
2. perpetrate
3. perpetuate
4. perpetrate
5. perpetuate

Perpetuate Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Maintain	To keep in an existing state; preserve from failure or decline.
Preserve	To keep alive or in existence; maintain.
Sustain	To keep in being; prolong.
Continue	To remain in existence or operation.
Uphold	To maintain or affirm against opposition.

Perpetrate Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Commit	To carry out or perform (a mistake, crime, or immoral act).
Execute	To carry out or put into effect (a plan, order, or course of action).
Inflict	To cause (something unpleasant or painful) to be suffered by someone or something.
Perform	To carry out, accomplish, or fulfill (an action, task, or function).
Carry out	To perform a task or action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can perpetuate be used in a negative context?
Yes, perpetuate can be used negatively when referring to the continuation of undesirable things, such as “to perpetuate a stereotype,” “to perpetuate a myth,” or “to perpetuate a cycle of violence.”

Question 2: Is a “perpetrator” related to perpetuate or perpetrate?
A “perpetrator” is directly related to perpetrate. A perpetrator is the person who perpetrates, or commits, a crime or harmful act.

Question 3: How can I remember the difference between the two?
Think of “perpetuATE” as in “to make something last for an eternity” (ATE is part of “last”). Think of “perpetrATE” as in “to commit a tragedy or crime” (TRATE sounds like “tragedy” or “trauma”). Another mnemonic: “PerpetuATE” has “U” for “until forever,” while “PerpetrATE” has “R” for “responsibility” (for a wrongful act).

Conclusion

While perpetuate and perpetrate share a phonetic similarity, their meanings are distinct and should not be confused. Perpetuate refers to making something continue or last indefinitely, often in the context of ideas, traditions, or cycles. Perpetrate, on the other hand, means to commit a harmful, illegal, or immoral act. Understanding this distinction is crucial for precise communication.

Pro Tip: Using these words correctly demonstrates a strong command of the English language. Misusing them can subtly undermine your credibility, especially in formal writing or professional contexts. Always double-check your intended meaning to ensure you’re conveying the right message.