What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
permeate
Example
The smell of freshly baked bread permeated the entire house. [permeated: past tense]
Example
The culture of the city permeates every aspect of life here. [permeates: present tense]
pervade
Example
A sense of unease pervaded the room after the argument. [pervaded: past tense]
Example
The smell of smoke pervaded the air, making it difficult to breathe. [pervaded: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Permeate is more commonly used than pervade in everyday language. Permeate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pervade is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between permeate and pervade?
Both permeate and pervade are formal words that are appropriate for academic or professional writing. However, permeate may be slightly more common in casual conversation.
