false devotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "false devotion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is pretending to be devoted or loyal, but their feelings or actions are insincere. Example: "His false devotion to the cause was evident when he failed to show up for the important meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Seemingly crude to a modern reader, it was nonetheless a type that could quickly detect false devotion in others, no matter how elaborately disguised.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sundd's Sri Sankat Mochan Hanuman Charit Manas (1998), a devotional text attributed to Tulsidas and devoted to Hanuman, uses the Maya Sita motif, but raises the question how Hanuman could interact with such devotion with a false Sita.

Wikipedia

Thus, Tony's devotion is shown to be to a false ideal; his deposition and replacement in his domain by middle-class heirs represents what the writer Brigid Brophy terms "a bourgeois sack of a fake-Gothic Rome".

Wikipedia

Harold Gerstel and Jack Berkovits are people who at least once a day reaffirm their devotion to a God who handed down commandments forbidding both murder and bearing false witness.

The New Yorker

Founded in 1996 to compete in the Western Professional Hockey League, the Ice Bats managed to win over a populace whose devotion to University of Texas football had cast all other sporting clubs in the role of false idols.

The New York Times - Sports

Indeed, because they are so upstanding, I'm certain that one of their greatest devotions is to that fundamental Christian tenet, the ninth Commandment, that "you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor".

Huffington Post

Maternal devotion.

The Guardian - Music

It means "total devotion".

The New Yorker

This devotion is sincere.

The New Yorker

This devotion confuses me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Why the devotion?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "false devotion" to critique situations where outward expressions of loyalty or commitment mask underlying insincerity or self-interest.

Common error

Avoid using "false devotion" to describe situations where individuals are genuinely, but mistakenly, dedicated to a flawed or harmful cause. "False devotion" implies a deliberate deception, not simply an error in judgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "false devotion" functions as a noun phrase, where "false" modifies "devotion". As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe the quality of being insincere or pretended in one's dedication or loyalty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "false devotion" is a grammatically correct adjective + noun phrase used to describe insincere or pretended loyalty. Ludwig AI highlights that this phrase effectively conveys a lack of genuine commitment and is often used in critical contexts. While not extremely common, it appears in reliable sources such as The New York Times and Wikipedia. Related phrases include "insincere dedication" and "pretended loyalty". When using "false devotion", it's crucial to distinguish it from genuine but misguided commitment, focusing instead on instances of intentional deception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insincere dedication

Emphasizes the lack of genuineness in the dedication.

pretended loyalty

Highlights the act of feigning loyalty without genuine commitment.

fake allegiance

Stresses the artificiality of the allegiance.

sham commitment

Focuses on the deceptive nature of the commitment.

hollow faithfulness

Suggests that faithfulness is empty and without substance.

superficial piety

Points to a shallow and insincere religious devotion.

artificial reverence

Implies that the reverence is manufactured and not genuine.

illusory allegiance

Highlights the deceptive nature of the allegiance, suggesting it's not real.

counterfeit worship

Indicates that the worship is not authentic and is merely a facade.

feigned faithfulness

Emphasizes the act of pretending to be faithful.

FAQs

How can I use "false devotion" in a sentence?

You can use "false devotion" to describe someone pretending to be loyal or devoted, such as: "His "false devotion" to the company was revealed when he accepted a job with a competitor".

What are some alternatives to "false devotion"?

Consider using alternatives like "insincere dedication", "pretended loyalty", or "fake allegiance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "false devotion" the same as hypocrisy?

While related, they aren't identical. Hypocrisy is broader, referring to claiming beliefs or virtues one doesn't possess, while "false devotion" specifically concerns insincere expressions of loyalty or commitment. Someone can be a hypocrite without necessarily exhibiting "false devotion", and vice versa.

What's the difference between "false devotion" and genuine but misguided loyalty?

"False devotion" implies intentional deception, where the devotion is a pretense. Misguided loyalty, however, involves sincere belief and commitment, even if directed towards a flawed cause or individual. The key difference is the presence or absence of genuine belief.