Perform vs Preform: Difference and Comparison

What is the difference between perform and preform (perform vs preform)?

Although these two words have a similar pronunciation, their meaning is entirely different.

Perform is a verb, an English word that means to do something or to execute, while preform is a noun and describes an object that has undergone preliminary shaping but is not yet in its final form.

Preform is also the misspelling of the word “perform” according to the English dictionary. This may occur as a common mistake when spelling the word “perform”, especially for someone who is learning English as a second language.

Perform and preform may have similarities in their pronunciation, but their meaning is completely different. We will also be looking at some examples of sentences with the words “perform” and “preform”.

What Is Perform?

The term “perform” is a verb and it means to do something, or to complete an action, or to execute. It also means to do something in front of an audience, often in order to provide entertainment.

As a verb, the term “perform” can refer to demonstrating or carrying out a request when it’s used in sentences.

For example,

Maria will perform in this year’s musical concert.
It only took Jerry five minutes to perform the task.

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Etymology of Perform

The term “perform” is a word that dates back to the 14^th century. Then it was defined as discharging, carrying into effect, carrying out something, or fulfilling a task that was demanded.

Through Anglo-French “performer” “perfornir” and “performer”. The meaning of this word is to do, finish, carry out, or accomplish.

The term “perform” can also be used in a musical or theatrical sense. This dates back to the 17^th century when the term “perform” was defined as to act or represent on a stage or to sing.

The word “perform” was also used to describe a dream that came to pass.

How to Use the Term “Perform” in a Sentence

Here are a few examples of sentences with the term “perform”.

Although the team had all week to prepare for the game, they did not perform as expected.
Lauren enjoys performing different genres of music.
I enjoyed watching the band perform in my hometown.
He was performing in front of a mammoth crowd, but they were not impressed with his music.
How you dress for work will depend on your personal preferences and the type of work you have been employed to perform.
In order to find out the cause of her illness, the doctor had to perform a test.
In today’s society, robots can perform thousands of tasks.
Jane’s council had to perform a miracle on a tight budget.
Jonas had not performed as expected in his exams.
The English national football team performed excellently in the match at Wembley.

What Is Preform?

According to the English dictionary, the term “preform” is a noun, defining an object that has undergone preliminary shaping but is not yet in its final form.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the term “preform” as any of various objects of manufacture or handicraft after preliminary shaping such as;

A tube manufactured for the purpose of being moulded into a form; like a bottle for example.
Or a rough gemstone that has been cut to its finished shape and size.

As a transitive verb, the term “preform” means to form or shape beforehand. It also refers to bringing an approximate preliminary shape and size.

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Etymology of Preform

The word “preform” dates back to the 17^th century when the Latin word ‘praeformare’ from prae- + formare to form forma from.

Preform is a word that we rarely hear or use in English unless we are talking about plastic and synthetic products, especially from 1918. As a verb, preform means to ‘form beforehand’ which was used in the early 20^th century to substitute the term “formed beforehand”.

Preform is a common term used when we talk about construction.

Perform vs Preform: How to Use the Term “Preform” in a Sentence

Here are a few examples of sentences with the word “preform”.

Kelly preformed it into a perfect doughnut shape.
How the reading is preformed depends on the particular website.
Modern cloth diapers are preformed and can easily be put on an infant.
Metal is a unique material that can be purchased preformed to fit in homes.
Condensate will always leave a mark on the preformed surface.
He has knowledge of plastic materials and quality control in preform production.
The company’s attention is focused on preformed design.
Some of the preform moulds are rectangular just as the company wanted it.
The building’s exterior walls were made of preformed concrete.
If you want to create the composite material, you need to apply a resin to the 3D preform.

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Perform vs Preform: Difference between Perform and Preform

Let’s look at more key differences between perform and preform.

	Perform	Preform
Definition	The term “perform” is a verb and it means to do something, or to complete an action, or to execute. It also means to do something in front of an audience, often in order to provide entertainment.	This word originally came from the Anglo-Norman performer, perfourmer and alternation of ‘parfornir’ (by the influence of Old French forme “form”)
Syllables	The term “perform” has two syllables which are per and form.	The term “preform” also has two syllables, pre and form.
History	This word originally came from the Anglo-Norman performer, perfourmer and alternation of ‘parfornir’ (by influence of Old French forme “form”)	Originally came from the Latin word ‘praeformare’ and was commonly used during the 1600s.
Sentences	The English national football team performed excellently in the match at Wembley.	Metal is a unique material that can be purchased preformed to fit in homes.

Perform vs Preform: Tips to Help You Avoid Making Common Mistakes

Perform and preform are two words with similar spelling and pronunciation but have different meanings. Sometimes people make mistakes with these words but here are a few tips to help avoid making these common mistakes.

Confused with the Spelling

The two words have a similar pronunciation just as their spelling. Sometimes people make this common mistake, spelling perform and preform.

If you are someone who is learning English as a second language, preform is spelt with the word “pre” at the beginning, whereas perform is spelt with the word “per” at the beginning.

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Using the Wrong Context

This is another common mistake people often when using the words “perform” and “preform” in a sentence or writing. Perform is a verb that refers to the action of to execute, to do something, while preform is a noun that can refer to an item or the making of an object.

Difference in sentence:

Some of the preform moulds are rectangular just as the company wanted it.
Although the team had all week to prepare for the game, they did not perform as expected.

Conclusion

Perform and preform may have similarities in their pronunciation, but their meaning is completely different.