What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pervade
Example
The aroma of freshly baked bread pervaded the entire house. [pervaded: verb]
Example
A sense of excitement pervaded the room as the concert began. [pervaded: past tense]
penetrate
Example
The bullet penetrated the wall and hit the target. [penetrated: verb]
Example
The meaning of the poem finally penetrated my mind after several readings. [penetrated: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Penetrate is more commonly used than pervade in everyday language. Penetrate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pervade is less common and refers to a more specific type of spreading.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pervade and penetrate?
Both pervade and penetrate are formal words that are appropriate for academic or professional writing. However, penetrate may have a more technical or scientific connotation in certain contexts.
