The Guardian | November 3, 2023
"Cybercriminals perpetrate sophisticated attack on banking systems."
Perpetrate vs. Perpetuate
The '30 Seconds' Difference At A Glance
'Perpetrate' means to commit or carry out an action, usually something harmful or illegal. 'Perpetuate' means to make something continue indefinitely or preserve its existence.
The criminals perpetrated the fraud, while false beliefs perpetuated the spread of misinformation.
A Deeper Look
'Perpetrate' means to do or carry out something bad or illegal. When you perpetrate something, you're the one actually doing the harmful act.
The hackers perpetrated several cyber attacks last month.
The gang perpetrated a series of bank robberies.
'Perpetuate' means to keep something going or make it continue, whether that's good or bad. It's about making things last rather than doing them.
These old rules perpetuate outdated ideas about gender roles.
Good teachers help perpetuate a love of learning in their students.
Common Usage Patterns
Perpetrate
Common phrases: perpetrate fraud, perpetrate crimes, perpetrate violence, perpetrate hoax, perpetrate abuse
Perpetuate
Common phrases: perpetuate myths, perpetuate stereotypes, perpetuate traditions, perpetuate system, perpetuate cycle
Key Patterns
'Perpetrate' typically involves criminal or harmful acts. 'Perpetuate' can apply to both positive and negative ongoing situations.
What Teachers Say
"In legal writing, 'perpetrate' always implies action - someone must actively commit the deed. 'Perpetuate' can be passive, like when silence perpetuates problems."
-- Richard, Columbia Law
"In sociology, we often discuss how individual acts perpetrate harm while social systems perpetuate inequality - it's an important distinction."
-- Maya, Berkeley
"Notice that perpetration ends when the act is done, but perpetuation continues indefinitely until something breaks the cycle."
-- James, Manchester
From The Headlines
The Washington Post | May 17, 2019
"Study shows how media bias perpetuates social stereotypes."
The Times | August 8, 2015
"New policies aim to prevent banks from perpetuating unfair lending practices."
Test Yourself!
1. The thieves _______ the robbery at midnight.
2. These outdated policies _______ inequality in the workplace.
3. Those who _______ fraud often help to _______ distrust in financial systems.
