as an illusion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as an illusion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is perceived as not real or deceptive in nature. Example: "Many people view the concept of perfection as an illusion, believing that it is unattainable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An externalist might instead dismiss such knowledge as an illusion of the Cartesian paradigm (Millikan 1984 19933, Goldberg 1999b; 2007b, Williamson 2000, ch. 4, Brown 2004).

SEP

Critics dismiss S.R.I. as an illusion.

The New York Times - Science

He saw the glorification of individual creativity as an illusion.

The Guardian

She described "the dream portrayed by Herbalife" as an illusion.

The New York Times

(The Goblin did make an appearance in Ms. Taymor's Act II as an illusion).

The New York Times

It's hard to write that off as an illusion.(Photo credit: AP).

The Economist

The deputy foreign minister, Ze'ev Elkin, dismissed the notion as "an illusion".

The Guardian

Much of the seeming success of the financial industry has now been revealed as an illusion.

The New York Times

I think the problem is in describing an allusion as "an indirect reference," which makes it shadowy as an illusion.

Princeton University

But is it right to refer to something so clearly designed by the composer as an illusion?

The Guardian - Books

(It's worth noting that, the year before he wrote "Betrayal," Pinter published an adaptation of Proust's "Remembrance of Things Past," the modernist urtext on love as an illusion).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as an illusion" when describing abstract concepts or feelings that are not based on objective reality, such as "the dream portrayed by Herbalife as an illusion".

Common error

Don't use "as an illusion" when you mean a delusion. An illusion is a misinterpretation of a real sensory stimulus, while a delusion is a fixed false belief not based on reality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as an illusion" functions as a prepositional phrase, often serving as a complement to a verb or adjective. It modifies a noun or pronoun, describing something being perceived or presented in a deceptive or unreal manner, which is confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as an illusion" effectively communicates that something is not what it appears to be, highlighting a deceptive or unreal quality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's frequently used in News & Media, Academia and Science, indicating its broad applicability across various registers. When using this phrase, ensure that you are referring to a misinterpretation of reality, not a false belief, as "delusion" would be more appropriate in the latter case. Remember that "as an illusion" carries a weight of unreality and deception, suggesting a contrast between what is perceived and what truly exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a false impression

Highlights the inaccurate belief created.

a mistaken belief

Focuses on the error in understanding or judgment.

a deceptive appearance

Focuses on the misleading nature of the appearance.

a semblance of reality

Implies a resemblance to reality that is ultimately not genuine.

a mere facade

Emphasizes the superficiality and artificiality.

a distorted perception

Highlights the alteration or misrepresentation of reality.

nothing more than a sham

Expresses the deceitful nature of something.

a superficial likeness

Indicates a similarity that does not extend beyond the surface.

a figment of imagination

Suggests something is purely imaginary and not based on reality.

a trick of the light

Refers to optical illusions.

FAQs

How can I use "as an illusion" in a sentence?

You can use "as an illusion" to describe something that appears real but is not, for example, "Much of the seeming success of the financial industry has now been revealed "as an illusion"".

What are some alternatives to using "as an illusion"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a deceptive appearance", "a false impression", or "a mere facade".

Is it correct to say "as a illusion" instead of "as an illusion"?

No, it is incorrect. The correct form is "as an illusion" because "illusion" starts with a vowel sound, requiring the indefinite article "an" instead of "a".

What's the difference between "as an illusion" and "as a delusion"?

"As an illusion" refers to a sensory misinterpretation, whereas "as a delusion" refers to a false belief. For example, a mirage is perceived "as an illusion", but believing you can fly is "as a delusion".