as we pretended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as we pretended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals are acting in a way that is not genuine, often in a playful or imaginative context. Example: "We laughed and played along, as we pretended to be pirates on a grand adventure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Afterwards, we were ushered into the reception room, so the photographer could take our picture as we pretended to cut the cake.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

She would go home thinking Italians eat just the same as we pretend they do here.

The New York Times - Magazine

To do anything else suggests we aren't as committed to actually achieving a better kind of economy as we pretend to be.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a result, he has become iconic, representing the madness that may reside in the most seemingly "normal" person, the soft voice that whispers in our ear: "We're none of us as sane as we pretend".

The Guardian - Books

As long as we pretend that our role in the global economy is benign and constructive, no serious reconsideration of the roots of anti-Americanism will become part of the political debate that is required, and we will remain vulnerable to terrorist attacks regardless of how many billions are spent to fight terrorism.

The New York Times

Following the flow of images and seeing how infrequently words I knew appeared brought on a small but potent realization: the Japanese don't care about the English language or American culture, not nearly as much as we pretend they do.

The New York Times - Magazine

Methods: Retrospective observational study of all adult patients admitted to the ICU (mixed ICU) between March 2014 and April 2016 but data presented in this abstract is a preliminary report as we pretend to add more patients in the ongoing months.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

I'm interested in what y'all think: should we introduce harsh prison sentences remember, New Yorkers only face a $150 fine for texting and driving, and it's only a secondary law to enforce—, focus on education, or continue on with our heads in the sand as we pretend texting and driving isn't an issue?

TechCrunch

And yet it is very clear with this open Islamophobia, that we are not as open as we pretend.

Huffington Post

We're afraid that somebody is going to discover that we're not as smart, experienced, or well-connected as we pretend to be.

Huffington Post

It requires a willingness to be vulnerable, to acknowledge that deep down, we're not nearly as certain about things as we pretend to be.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as we pretended" to describe situations where you want to highlight the playful or imaginative nature of an action. For instance, "As we pretended to be explorers, we navigated the backyard jungle."

Common error

Avoid using "as we pretended" when the situation involves deliberate deception with malicious intent. "Pretending" often carries a connotation of harmlessness or playfulness. Consider using "as we deceived" or "as we misled" for more serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as we pretended" functions as a conjunction phrase, often introducing a clause that describes a condition or manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as we pretended" is a grammatically sound and usable conjunction phrase that sets the stage for describing actions that are not genuine but more likely linked to playful actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase is versatile and can appear in various contexts like the news, scientific papers or formal documents, it isn't the most used. Consider alternatives like "as we feigned" or "as we simulated" to convey subtle differences in meaning, and avoid using it in situations involving serious deception. This phrase is often seen in top sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and Huffington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as we simulated

Replaces "pretended" with "simulated", implying a more deliberate and potentially technical act of imitation.

as we feigned

Using "feigned" instead of "pretended" suggests a slightly more deceptive or insincere act.

as we acted as if

This is a more verbose alternative, explicitly stating the act of behaving in a certain way.

as we made believe

"Made believe" is a more childlike or whimsical way of expressing pretense.

as we put on a show

This suggests a performance intended for an audience, emphasizing the performative aspect of pretending.

as we gave the impression

Focuses on the result of the pretense, highlighting the deceptive aspect.

as we played along

Implies participation in an existing pretense or game.

as we fabricated

Fabricated implies something more tangible than pretended.

as we conjured up

Highlights the imaginative aspect, suggesting the creation of something unreal.

as we envisioned

Envisioned centers on the mental picture, while pretending involves acting it out.

FAQs

How can I use "as we pretended" in a sentence?

You can use "as we pretended" to describe actions that were not genuine or were part of a game or role-playing scenario. For example, "As we pretended to be detectives, we searched for clues in the living room."

What are some alternatives to "as we pretended"?

Some alternatives include "as we feigned", "as we simulated", or "as we acted as if", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "as we pretended like"?

While understandable, "as we pretended like" is generally considered less formal. Sticking with "as we pretended" is usually preferable for a more polished tone.

What's the difference between "as we pretended" and "as we imagined"?

"As we pretended" implies an active effort to act out something that isn't real, while "as we imagined" refers to a mental exercise of creating scenarios without necessarily acting them out. Pretending involves behavior; imagining involves thought.