devise pretexts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devise pretexts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of creating excuses or justifications for certain actions or behaviors. Example: "In order to avoid attending the meeting, she had to devise pretexts that would seem plausible to her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The children devise a series of do-gooding schemes that are pretexts for adventures which usually cause fire, flood, injury or other havoc.

The Guardian - Books

which helped devise the program.

The New York Times

Devise a simple budget.

HuffPost

4. Devise an emergency plan.

Huffington Post

Instead, we devise new ones.

Huffington Post

Or devise stories yourself.

WikiHow

Devise some equipment.

WikiHow

Devise your own churner.

WikiHow

Then devise your own strategy.

WikiHow

Perich (through her attorneys) replied that her duties were not primarily religious, and that the assertion of a doctrinal violation was an afterthought devised to serve as a pretext for an act of retaliation in response to her having gone to the courts in an effort to secure her rights.

The New York Times

But prostitution has rarely been treated as just another transaction, or even as a run-of-the-mill crime: the oldest profession is also the oldest pretext for outraged moralising and unrealistic lawmaking devised by man.In recent years, governments have tended to bother with prostitution only when it threatened public order.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devise pretexts" when you want to emphasize the intentional creation of excuses, especially when there's a sense of planning or strategy involved. Be aware of the negative connotation; it suggests insincerity.

Common error

Avoid using "devise pretexts" in formal contexts where a neutral or positive tone is required. Opt for more objective terms like "develop reasons" or "establish grounds" to maintain professionalism and avoid implying deception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devise pretexts" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "devise" is the verb indicating the action of creating or inventing, and "pretexts" is the noun representing the false reasons or excuses being created. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is usable in English and generally grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "devise pretexts" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of creating false reasons or excuses. According to Ludwig AI, it is a valid English phrase. While usable in a variety of contexts, it carries a negative connotation, implying insincerity. The phrase's register is generally neutral, fitting well in news and general writing. When writing, consider the tone and context; in formal situations, alternative phrases might be more appropriate. Due to the limited examples found by Ludwig, this phrase might not be as common as other alternatives. Keep in mind the semantic similarity with other phrases as "fabricate excuses".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dream up pretenses

Focuses on creating a false appearance or facade.

fabricate excuses

Focuses on inventing false reasons to justify an action or inaction.

manufacture reasons

Highlights the artificial and constructed nature of the given reasons.

concoct justifications

Implies creating elaborate or complex reasons, often to deceive.

cook up explanations

Suggests a casual or informal creation of reasons, possibly implying a lack of seriousness.

invent stories

Emphasizes the narrative aspect of creating a false account.

develop rationalizations

Implies a more formal or intellectual attempt to justify something.

formulate alibis

Specifically refers to creating a defense against blame or suspicion.

contrive artifices

Emphasizes the skillful and clever creation of something deceptive.

devise stratagems

Implies creating clever schemes, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "devise pretexts" in a sentence?

You can use "devise pretexts" to indicate the act of creating excuses or justifications, especially when those excuses are not genuine. For instance, "In order to avoid attending the meeting, she had to devise pretexts that would seem plausible to her colleagues".

What are some alternatives to "devise pretexts"?

Alternatives include "fabricate excuses", "concoct justifications", or "invent stories", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "devise pretexts" a formal or informal phrase?

"Devise pretexts" leans towards a neutral to slightly informal register. It's suitable for general writing but may be less appropriate in highly formal or academic contexts where a more objective term is preferred.

What is the connotation of "devise pretexts"?

The phrase "devise pretexts" carries a negative connotation, implying that the reasons or excuses being created are insincere or misleading. It suggests a deliberate attempt to avoid responsibility or deceive others.