What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
predominate
Example
The culture of the country predominate over the individual beliefs. [predominate: verb]
Example
The predominate color in the painting was blue. [predominate: adjective]
prevail
Example
Good will always prevail over evil. [prevail: verb]
Example
The prevailing opinion among scientists is that climate change is caused by human activity. [prevailing: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prevail is more commonly used than predominate in everyday language. Prevail is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while predominate is less common and refers to a more specific situation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between predominate and prevail?
Both predominate and prevail can be used in formal and informal contexts, but predominate may be considered more formal due to its less frequent usage in everyday language.