What is perpetuate? Pronunciation and usage in English

perpetuate means . Learn how to pronounce and use perpetuate through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of perpetuate

perpetuateverb

/pəˈpetʃueɪt//pərˈpetʃueɪt/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "perpetuate." It can be tricky for some! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables: The word is divided into three syllables:

  • per - like the word "per" in "perform"
  • pet - rhymes with "bet"
  • u-ate - This is the key!

2. Detailed Pronunciation:

  • "per": Short "er" sound, like in "perform."
  • "pet": Rhymes with "bet". Notice the short "e" sound.
  • "u-ate": This is where many people stumble.
    • "u": Pronounced like the "u" in "flute" or "use". It's a short, quick "uh" sound.
    • "ate": Pronounced like the word "ate."

3. Combined Sound:

Putting it all together, it sounds like: per-pet-u-ate (with a slight pause between the "pet" and "u-ate").

4. Tips & Resources:

  • Listen to Native Speakers: The best way to get the pronunciation right is to hear it. Here are some great resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "perpetuate" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. (https://translate.google.com/)
    • Forvo: This website has pronunciations recorded by native speakers from various regions. (https://forvo.com/word/perpetuate/)
    • Merriam-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetuate (Click the audio icon)

Simplified Breakdown:

Think of it as: "per-pet-you-ate" – focusing on the short "u" sound.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "perpetuate"?

Usage and examples with the word perpetuate in English

Let's break down how to use the word "perpetuate" in English. It’s a powerful word with a specific meaning.

1. Core Meaning:

"Perpetuate" means to cause something to continue indefinitely or to maintain something over a long period of time. It's about keeping something going, often something undesirable or harmful.

2. Parts of a Sentence & Examples:

Here's how you can use "perpetuate" in different sentence structures:

  • Passive Voice (Most Common): “The system perpetuates inequality.” (Meaning: The system keeps inequality going.)

    • "Historical biases perpetuate stereotypes." (Meaning: These biases continue to maintain stereotypes.)
    • “Poor leadership perpetuates a cycle of failure.” (Meaning: Bad leadership keeps failure going.)

  • Active Voice (Less Common, but possible): “He tried to perpetuate the legend of the lost treasure.” (Meaning: He worked to keep the legend alive.)

    • “The media can perpetuate misinformation if they aren't careful.” (Meaning: The media can continue to spread false information.)

3. Key Contexts & What it Often Applies To:

  • Social Issues: This is where "perpetuate" is most frequently used. It's often linked to negative social phenomena like:

    • Prejudice & Discrimination: "Stereotypes perpetuate prejudice."
    • Poverty: "Lack of opportunity perpetuates poverty."
    • Harmful Traditions: “Certain cultural practices perpetuate gender inequality.”
    • Political Systems: “Corruption perpetuates governmental instability.”

  • Historical Patterns: "The cycle of violence perpetuates throughout the region's history."

  • Ideas & Beliefs: “Misinformation perpetuates itself when repeated without verification.”

  • Stories & Legends: As mentioned above, you can use it to describe keeping a story alive, but often with an implication that the story might be biased or untrue.

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Continue
  • Maintain
  • Persist
  • Prolong
  • Uphold
  • Reinforce

5. Important Notes & Nuances:

  • Negative Connotation: "Perpetuate" usually has a negative connotation. It implies something is unwanted and harmful to keep going.

  • It’s not just about doing something: It's more about the result of an action or a condition—that it continues.

  • Formal Tone: "Perpetuate" is considered more formal than words like "continue" or "keep."

Example Breakdown:

Let’s look at a few examples and dissect them:

  • “The media’s constant portrayal of women in stereotypical roles helped perpetuate harmful gender biases.”

    • Perpetuate means: to continue and reinforce these biases, making them stronger over time.
    • The media's portrayal caused the biases to continue.

  • “His actions perpetuated the cycle of abuse in his family.”

    • Perpetuated means: He maintained the cycle, meaning it didn't stop and continued to repeat.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about using "perpetuate" in? (e.g., a specific social issue, a historical event, a story, etc.)

Synonyms for the word perpetuate

Practice with vocabulary perpetuate

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Many economists argue that excessive government spending can __________ inflation, making goods and services more expensive for consumers.
  2. To successfully __________ a healthy work-life balance, employees should set clear boundaries and manage their time effectively.
  3. The company's strict hierarchical structure tended to __________ a sense of competition rather than collaboration among its departments.
  4. The new policy aims to __________ the benefits for low-income families by providing direct financial assistance.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following actions might help to perpetuate gender stereotypes in the workplace? A) Implementing blind recruitment processes. B) Promoting diverse leadership representation. C) Assigning roles based on traditional gender assumptions. D) Challenging biased language in meetings. E) Encouraging men and women to specialize in historically gendered fields.

  2. The organization's mission is to perpetuate the legacy of its founder by: A) Disbanding all current programs. B) Continuously adapting to new challenges. C) Upholding the core values and principles. D) Documenting his achievements for future generations. E) Eradicating all records of his work.

  3. The repeated errors in the financial reports will likely perpetuate a lack of trust among investors and stakeholders. Which words are synonyms or near-synonyms for "perpetuate" in this context? A) Abolish B) Maintain C) Foster D) Dispel E) Sustain

  4. The new government initiative aims to mitigate the effects of climate change through various sustainable practices. Which of the following words could replace "mitigate"? A) Exacerbate B) Alleviate C) Intensify D) Worsen E) Lessen

  5. The company decided to implement a new flexible work policy to improve employee satisfaction. Which of the following words expresses a similar idea to "implement" in this sentence? A) Discontinue B) Commence C) Initiate D) Terminate E) Establish

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The old practices within the department are causing a continuous cycle of inefficiency. Rewrite using "perpetuate":
  2. Original: By ignoring the root causes of the conflict, we are ensuring that the problem will continue indefinitely. Rewrite using "perpetuate":
  3. Original: It is crucial for project managers to ensure that high standards of quality are kept up throughout all phases of development. Rewrite (do not use "perpetuate"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. perpetuate
  2. maintain
  3. perpetuate
  4. enhance

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. C) Assigning roles based on traditional gender assumptions, E) Encouraging men and women to specialize in historically gendered fields.
  2. C) Upholding the core values and principles, D) Documenting his achievements for future generations.
  3. B) Maintain, C) Foster, E) Sustain.
  4. B) Alleviate, E) Lessen.
  5. B) Commence, C) Initiate, E) Establish.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite using "perpetuate": The old practices within the department perpetuate a continuous cycle of inefficiency.
  2. Rewrite using "perpetuate": By ignoring the root causes of the conflict, we are perpetuating the problem indefinitely.
  3. Rewrite (do not use "perpetuate"): It is crucial for project managers to maintain high standards of quality throughout all phases of development.

Comment ()