Perusal vs Peruse: How Are These Words Connected?

Are you someone who gets confused between perusal and peruse? Do you often find yourself using these words interchangeably? If yes, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss the difference between perusal and peruse and help you understand which word to use in which context.

Perusal and peruse are both correct words in the English language. However, they are not interchangeable. Perusal is a noun, while peruse is a verb. Perusal means the act of reading or examining something carefully, whereas peruse means to read something carefully and thoroughly.

Now that we have established the basic definitions of these words, let’s dive deeper into their usage and how they differ from each other.

Define Perusal

Perusal is a noun that refers to the act of reading or examining something carefully or thoroughly. It is often used in legal or academic contexts to describe the process of reviewing documents or materials in detail. Perusal can also be used to describe a casual or leisurely reading of something, such as a book or magazine.

Define Peruse

Peruse is a verb that means to read or examine something carefully or thoroughly. It is often used interchangeably with the word “perusal,” but can also be used to describe the act of browsing or scanning through something quickly. Peruse is commonly used in academic or legal contexts to describe the process of reviewing documents or materials in detail, but can also be used in everyday language to describe the act of reading or examining something carefully.

Here is a table summarizing the differences between perusal and peruse:

Perusal	Peruse
Noun	Verb
Refers to the act of reading or examining something carefully or thoroughly	Means to read or examine something carefully or thoroughly
Often used in legal or academic contexts to describe the process of reviewing documents or materials in detail	Can be used to describe the act of browsing or scanning through something quickly
Can also be used to describe a casual or leisurely reading of something	Commonly used in academic or legal contexts to describe the process of reviewing documents or materials in detail

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to writing, using the right words can make all the difference in conveying your message effectively. Two words that are commonly confused are perusal and peruse. In this section, we will explore how to properly use these words in a sentence.

How To Use Perusal In A Sentence

Perusal is a noun that refers to the act of reading or examining something carefully. Here are some examples of how to use perusal in a sentence:

• After a thorough perusal of the document, I discovered several errors.
• Her perusal of the menu took longer than expected.
• He gave the contract a quick perusal before signing it.

As you can see from these examples, perusal is typically used to describe the act of carefully reading or examining something.

How To Use Peruse In A Sentence

Peruse is a verb that means to read or examine something carefully. Here are some examples of how to use peruse in a sentence:

• She perused the report before presenting it to the board.
• He perused the bookshelves, looking for something to read.
• They spent hours perusing the art exhibit.

As you can see from these examples, peruse is typically used to describe the act of reading or examining something carefully. However, unlike perusal, peruse is an action verb that describes the act of reading or examining something, rather than the act itself.

More Examples Of Perusal & Peruse Used In Sentences

In order to better understand the difference between perusal and peruse, it can be helpful to see these words used in context. Here are some examples of how these words can be used in sentences:

Examples Of Using Perusal In A Sentence

• After a quick perusal of the document, I realized there were several errors that needed to be corrected.
• She gave the book a thorough perusal before deciding whether or not to buy it.
• The lawyer requested a perusal of the evidence before presenting his case.
• During his perusal of the job posting, he realized he didn’t meet all of the qualifications.
• He gave the contract a careful perusal before signing it.
• She gave the menu a quick perusal before deciding what to order.
• After a perusal of the company’s financial records, it became clear that they were in trouble.
• He spent hours in the library, conducting a perusal of all the available research on the topic.
• She gave the proposal a cursory perusal before deciding it wasn’t worth pursuing.
• After a quick perusal of the email, she realized it was just spam.

Examples Of Using Peruse In A Sentence

• He perused the bookshelves, searching for something to read.
• She sat in the coffee shop, perusing the newspaper.
• He spent the afternoon perusing the art museum’s collection.
• She perused the job listings, looking for something that matched her skills.
• He perused the menu, trying to decide what to order.
• She perused the travel brochure, dreaming of a tropical vacation.
• He perused the classifieds, hoping to find a good deal on a used car.
• She perused the fashion magazine, looking for inspiration for her next outfit.
• He perused the website, trying to find the information he needed.
• She perused the library shelves, looking for a book on the subject.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words perusal and peruse, it is easy to make mistakes. Here are some common mistakes people make when using these words interchangeably, along with explanations of why they are incorrect:

Using Perusal As A Verb

One common mistake is using perusal as a verb, as in “I will perusal the document.” However, perusal is a noun, not a verb. The correct verb form is peruse, as in “I will peruse the document.”

Using Peruse As A Noun

Another mistake is using peruse as a noun, as in “I will give the document a peruse.” However, peruse is a verb, not a noun. The correct noun form is perusal, as in “I will give the document a perusal.”

Using Peruse And Perusal Interchangeably

Many people use peruse and perusal interchangeably, but they have different meanings. Peruse means to read or examine something carefully, while perusal means the act of reading or examining something carefully. It is important to use the correct word depending on what you mean to say.

Here are some tips to avoid making these mistakes in the future:

• Remember that perusal is a noun and peruse is a verb.
• Use perusal when referring to the act of reading or examining something carefully.
• Use peruse when referring to the act of reading or examining something carefully yourself.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “perusal” and “peruse”, context plays a crucial role in determining which one should be used. While both words refer to the act of reading, they have slightly different connotations that can affect the overall meaning of a sentence or passage.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Consider the following examples to better understand how the choice between “perusal” and “peruse” can change depending on the context:

Context	Example Sentence	Preferred Word
Formal Writing	After a thorough perusal of the documents, we have determined that…	Perusal
Everyday Conversation	I just need to peruse this menu before we order.	Peruse
Legal Documents	The contract was perused by the lawyers before being signed.	Perused
Academic Writing	Through a close perusal of the text, we can see that…	Perusal

In formal writing, such as business reports or academic papers, “perusal” is often the preferred word as it conveys a sense of thoroughness and attention to detail. In everyday conversation, however, “peruse” is more commonly used as it implies a more casual and relaxed reading experience.

When it comes to legal documents, “peruse” is often used to describe the act of reading with a critical eye for detail and potential issues. In academic writing, “perusal” is often used to describe a close and careful reading of a text in order to analyze its meaning and significance.

Overall, the choice between “perusal” and “peruse” ultimately depends on the specific context in which they are being used. By understanding the subtle differences between these two words, writers can choose the one that best conveys their intended meaning and tone.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using perusal and peruse are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where these rules might not apply. Here are a few examples:

1. Legal Documents

In legal documents, the terms perusal and peruse can have different meanings than in everyday language. In this context, perusal often refers to a quick or superficial examination of a document, while peruse is used to describe a more thorough and careful review.

For example, a lawyer might ask a client to peruse a contract before signing it, indicating that they should read it carefully and thoroughly. However, a judge might only give a brief perusal to a document before making a decision, indicating that they are only giving it a quick look.

2. Historical Context

In some historical contexts, the meanings of perusal and peruse might differ from their current usage. For example, in older texts, peruse might be used to mean “to read with great care and attention,” while perusal might be used to mean “a thorough reading or examination.”

It’s important to keep in mind the historical context of any text when interpreting the meaning of these words.

3. Regional Variations

Finally, it’s worth noting that there may be regional variations in the usage of perusal and peruse. In some areas, one term might be more commonly used than the other, or they might be used interchangeably.

For example, in British English, perusal is often used to mean “the action of reading or examining something,” while peruse is used to mean “to read something in a thorough or careful way.” In American English, however, peruse is more commonly used in both contexts.

It’s important to be aware of these regional variations when using these words in different contexts or with different audiences.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have a better understanding of the difference between perusal and peruse, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. Below are some practice exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these two words in sentences. Make sure to read each sentence carefully and choose the correct word to fill in the blank.

Exercise 1

After a quick __________ of the document, she realized that she had missed an important detail.

• A. perusal
• B. peruse

Answer: A. perusal

Explanation: In this sentence, perusal is the correct word to use because it means a quick examination or review. Peruse, on the other hand, means to read something in a thorough or careful manner.

Exercise 2

He likes to __________ through the newspaper every morning before work.

• A. perusal
• B. peruse

Answer: B. peruse

Explanation: In this sentence, peruse is the correct word to use because it means to read something in a thorough or careful manner. Perusal would not make sense in this context.

Exercise 3

She spent hours __________ the book, taking notes and highlighting important passages.

• A. perusal
• B. peruse

Answer: B. perusing

Explanation: In this sentence, the correct word to use is the present participle form of peruse, which is perusing. This means to read something in a thorough or careful manner over a period of time. Perusal would not make sense in this context.

Hopefully, these practice exercises have helped you improve your understanding and use of perusal and peruse in sentences. Remember to always carefully consider the context before choosing which word to use.

Conclusion

After exploring the nuances of perusal vs peruse, it is clear that these two words are often used interchangeably but have distinct meanings. Perusal refers to a thorough reading or examination, while peruse refers to a casual or quick reading. It is important to understand the differences between these two words in order to communicate effectively and avoid confusion.

Key takeaways from this article include:

• Perusal and peruse have different meanings and should be used appropriately.
• Context is key in determining which word to use.
• Other words, such as scan and skim, can be used to convey different levels of reading.

As with any aspect of grammar and language use, there is always more to learn. By continuing to expand your knowledge and understanding of language, you can become a more effective communicator and writer.