What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pervasiveness
Example
The pervasiveness of social media has transformed the way we communicate. [pervasiveness: noun]
Example
The influence of technology is pervasive in our daily lives. [pervasive: adjective]
prevalence
Example
The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased over the past decade. [prevalence: noun]
Example
Depression is prevalent among college students. [prevalent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prevalence is more commonly used than pervasiveness in everyday language, especially in medical or health-related contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pervasiveness and prevalence?
Both pervasiveness and prevalence are formal words that are commonly used in academic or scientific writing. However, prevalence may be considered more technical and specific to medical or health-related contexts.
