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Prepositions after adjectives

How to use pervasive with prepositions

Pervasive is most commonly followed by in to describe something spreading through an area, field, or group. Other prepositions often describe distribution in a broader way.

Quick answer

Pervasive in is the standard adjective pattern

Use pervasive in to say that something exists widely within a place, system, culture, or group. Throughout and across are also common with pervasive in broader expressions. Pervasive among is possible for groups of people. Pervasive on is uncommon and usually refers to influence on something rather than the adjective complement itself.

Corruption was pervasive in local politics.
Mobile technology is pervasive throughout modern society.
A feeling of distrust became pervasive among voters.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
pervasive in + place or field

Showing widespread presence

Use pervasive in for something spread widely within an environment or system.

Stress is pervasive in the industry.
The attitude remains pervasive in online culture.
2
pervasive throughout + area

Emphasising spread through an entire area

Throughout stresses complete distribution across a place or period.

Fear was pervasive throughout the region.
The smell became pervasive throughout the building.
3
pervasive across + range

Showing spread over multiple groups or areas

Across often refers to several sectors, countries, or categories.

The trend is pervasive across many industries.
Digital payments are pervasive across Europe.
4
pervasive among + group

Describing something common within a group

Among is used for attitudes, beliefs, or conditions shared by people.

Anxiety is pervasive among students during exams.
The practice became pervasive among small businesses.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
pervasive in
Misinformation is pervasive in social media.
Standard pattern for widespread presence within a setting.
pervasive throughout
A sense of panic was pervasive throughout the city.
Emphasises spread through the whole area.
pervasive across
The software is pervasive across the sector.
Shows distribution over multiple areas or categories.
pervasive among
Distrust was pervasive among employees.
Used with groups of people.
pervasive on
Its influence is pervasive on the platform.
Less common; on usually relates to influence affecting something rather than the standard adjective pattern.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using on as the main complement

Pervasive in is usually more natural for widespread presence.

✕ The problem is pervasive on society. ✓ The problem is pervasive in society.

Confusing across and throughout

Across suggests several areas; throughout suggests complete spread within one area.

✕ The noise was pervasive across the whole house. ✓ The noise was pervasive throughout the whole house.

Leaving out the needed preposition

Pervasive often needs a phrase showing where something spreads.

✕ Corruption was pervasive the organisation. ✓ Corruption was pervasive in the organisation.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The belief is pervasive ___ the community.
2. A feeling of excitement spread pervasive ___ the stadium.
3. The practice became pervasive ___ younger workers.

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Frequently asked questions

Can pervasive describe positive things?

Yes. For example, you can say that optimism is pervasive in a team.

Is pervasive across correct?

Yes. It is common when talking about several sectors, countries, or categories.

Can I use pervasive without a preposition?

Yes. For example: Digital technology is pervasive today.

packed-with-to-in-on, into "paid for" or "paid up"? painful for, to, in, at or of? "palatable to" or "palatable for"? "pale in" or "pale of"? "pandemic of" or "pandemic in"? "paramount to" or "paramount in"? paranoid about, of, in, with or over? partial to, of, in, towards or for? participating in, of, on, at or for? "particular about" or "particular to"? part-time at, in, for, as or with?

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