as they pretend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they pretend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is acting in a way that is not genuine or is putting on a facade. Example: "They act as if they are knowledgeable about the subject, as they pretend to understand the complex theories being discussed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

If only they were as adventurous as they pretend to be.

The New York Times

Does anyone really believe that the guests listen to as much classical music as they pretend?

The Guardian

But "Gangs of New York" and "25th Hour" aren't quite as inclusive as they pretend to be.

The New York Times

Anyway, Greece's politicians reckon that so long as they pretend to fix their country, the EU will hand over the money whether the plan succeeds or not.

The Economist

Charles Krauthammer, Karl Rove, Peter Wehner, and others have already concluded that Obama is a failure, even as they pretend to reserve final judgment.

The New Yorker

Which can serve as a reminder that there are matters much more urgent, more meaningful, than movies, a fact that the Oscars have a way of acknowledging even as they pretend otherwise.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

In July an entire museum was shuttered after claims that many of its 40,000 artifacts weren't quite as ancient as they pretended to be.

The New York Times

"The question is: how do we do it?" This plonking reply called forth mock applause from the Labour benches as they pretended to praise Clegg's analytical genius.

The Guardian

One took the driver's seat, the others hung on the sides as they pretended to race the hulking piece of machinery around a track.

The New York Times

We watched as, every few minutes, fresh-faced recruits, none more than eighteen years old, walked awkwardly down the hill, guns strapped tightly to their hips, as they pretended not to see what was happening all around them.

The New Yorker

Ba-marang-dhayiyn Ba-marang-gagagiyn B a-marang-dhayiyn Ba-marang-jaljaliyn Ba-wan.ngang "hokey pokey" Badhawawa-rumiyn Aba dani-yung-bugij Earlier in the class the kids had rolled around on the floor, singing as they pretended to be "muri", or buffalo.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as they pretend" to highlight the contrast between someone's actions or claims and their true nature or intentions, adding a layer of skepticism or irony to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "as they pretend" in highly formal or academic writing where a more direct and less colloquial phrase, such as "although they claim" or "despite their assertions", would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they pretend" functions as a conjunctional phrase introducing a clause that contrasts with a previous statement. It qualifies the preceding statement by suggesting insincerity or a discrepancy between appearance and reality, as demonstrated by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as they pretend" is a conjunctional phrase used to introduce clauses that contrast with preceding statements by suggesting insincerity. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and commonly found in News & Media. While acceptable in neutral and sometimes informal contexts, more formal settings may require alternative phrasings. The phrase is useful for expressing skepticism and highlighting discrepancies between appearance and reality. When writing, use it to add a layer of critical observation and avoid overuse in academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acting like they do

Focuses more on the outward behavior rather than the internal intention of pretending.

feigning that they are

Emphasizes the insincerity and deception involved in their actions, using a more formal tone.

simulating a persona

Highlights the artificiality and constructed nature of the behavior.

masquerading as if

Implies a deliberate attempt to conceal their true nature or intentions behind a facade.

portraying themselves as

Focuses on the image they are trying to project to others, rather than the act of pretending itself.

projecting an image of

Stresses the outward presentation and impression they are trying to create.

putting on a show of

Highlights the performative aspect of their behavior, suggesting it is primarily for appearances.

playing the part of

Emphasizes the role-playing aspect, suggesting they are acting out a character.

feigning to be

A more succinct and direct way of expressing pretense, using a slightly more formal word.

professing to be

Suggests a more explicit and perhaps exaggerated claim of a certain quality or belief.

FAQs

How can I use "as they pretend" in a sentence?

You can use "as they pretend" to indicate a discrepancy between someone's outward actions and their true feelings or intentions. For example: "They acted as if they were knowledgeable about the subject, as they pretend to understand the complex theories being discussed."

What are some alternatives to "as they pretend"?

Alternatives include phrases like "acting like they do", "feigning that they are", or "masquerading as if", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "as they pretend"?

It's appropriate to use "as they pretend" in situations where you want to express skepticism or doubt about someone's sincerity or genuineness. It's suitable for informal and neutral contexts, but avoid using it in highly formal writing.

Is "as they pretend" always negative?

While "as they pretend" often carries a negative connotation of insincerity, it can also be used in a neutral sense to simply point out a difference between appearance and reality, without necessarily implying judgment.