What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pervious
Example
The soil in this area is very pervious, which makes it great for farming. [pervious: adjective]
Example
The artist's work is pervious to different interpretations. [pervious: adjective]
Example
She has a pervious personality and is always eager to learn new things. [pervious: adjective]
porous
Example
The sponge is very porous and absorbs water quickly. [porous: adjective]
Example
The security system is porous and needs to be updated to prevent breaches. [porous: adjective]
Example
The economy is porous and affected by global events. [porous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Porous is more commonly used than pervious in everyday language, and is more versatile in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pervious and porous?
Both pervious and porous are formal words that are appropriate for academic or technical writing, but pervious may be seen as more formal due to its less common usage.
