I pretended that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I pretended that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where you acted as if something were true, even though it was not. Example: "I pretended that I was confident during the presentation, even though I was really nervous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He really loves insects, so I pretended that was in insect.

BBC

I pretended that I did and he completed his story.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If I pretended that I didn't want to be president I wouldn't be honest.

The New York Times

We sat outside on the sidewalk, and Darin and I pretended that we were celebrating.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then we all headed to the park as usual, but I pretended that I'd forgotten something back home.

The New Yorker

For the next few weeks, whenever I walked past the church, I pretended that my husband was sick.

The New Yorker

In my marriage I pretended that everything was fine, that the only problem was my husband's girlfriend.

The New Yorker

Along with everyone else in the family, I pretended that my father was going to be all right.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The book opens with Finley musing, "Sometimes I pretend that shooting hoops in my backyard is my earliest memory".

The New York Times - Books

I pretend that HBO's John Adams is the breaking news.

Huffington Post

I pretend that Neal sits beside me, engaged through the entire service.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I pretended that" to express a deliberate act of behaving or appearing in a way that does not reflect your true feelings or reality. It adds a layer of intentionality to the action.

Common error

Avoid using "I pretended that" when you mean to express an assumption or a belief without concrete evidence. If you assumed something, use phrases like "I assumed that" or "I thought that" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I pretended that" functions as a declarative clause introducing a statement about a past action. It specifies that the speaker acted in a manner that was not genuine or reflective of their true state. Ludwig AI examples confirm its use in various narrative and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I pretended that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a situation where someone deliberately acted in a way that didn't reflect their true feelings or reality. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more sophisticated alternatives may be preferred in highly formal settings. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Academia and it is a neutral expression that does not necessarily convey strong formality. Remember to use "I pretended that" to express intentional deception and to avoid using it when you simply mean to express an assumption.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I acted as if

Emphasizes the action or behavior mimicking a certain state.

I feigned that

Highlights the insincerity or artificiality of the action.

I made believe that

Focuses on creating an imaginary scenario or situation.

I gave the impression that

Highlights the effect on others, suggesting that the intent was to deceive.

I put on a show that

Emphasizes the performance aspect of the deception.

I played the part that

Suggests a deliberate role-playing or acting.

I simulated that

Implies a careful and calculated imitation.

I faked that

Emphasizes the lack of authenticity.

I conjured up the idea that

Focuses on inventing or fabricating a concept or situation.

I professed that

Indicates a declaration that may not be entirely truthful.

FAQs

What's the difference between "I pretended that" and "I assumed that"?

"I pretended that" implies a deliberate act of behaving in a way that doesn't reflect reality, while "I assumed that" indicates a belief formed without concrete proof. You "assumed that" something was true, but you "pretended that" to create a specific effect.

What are some alternatives to "I pretended that"?

Alternatives include "I acted as if", "I feigned that", or "I made believe that", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "I pretended that" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "I pretended that" is generally suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, you might consider more sophisticated alternatives like "I feigned that".

How to use "I pretended that" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where you acted as if something were true, even though it was not. For example, "I was really nervous, but "I pretended that" I was confident during the presentation."