false pretense

USAGE SUMMARY

"false pretense" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a deceptive act or false justification with the intention of getting someone to do something. For example: "He used false pretense to gain access to the security room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Let's not make a false pretense of balance: it's coming, overwhelmingly, from the right.

The New York Times

Mr. Liotta fake-moaned that he was lured to the shop under a false pretense: "Warby Parker?

The New York Times

After the mass shooting, he called the celebration of the military takeover "fascism under the false pretense of democracy and liberalism".

The New York Times

Bastardy, gambling, changing employers without permission, false pretense, "selling cotton after sunset": these were all grounds for arrest in rural Alabama by 1890.

The New York Times - Books

"A Talk to Teachers" showed me that a teacher's work should reject the false pretense of being apolitical, and, instead, confront the problems that shape our students' lives.

The New Yorker

But Democrats maintain that the gap is due more to poor planning by the LePage administration than to growth in Medicaid enrollment and that Mr. LePage is using a false pretense to push an ideological agenda.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Warrants Signed by Hall and Connolly Under False Pretenses".

The New York Times

"The refugees were lured to collection points under false pretenses".

The New York Times

(It had been rented to them under false pretenses).

The New Yorker

She said she was brought onto "Vikings" under false pretenses.

The New York Times - Arts

"You are here under false pretenses," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing legal situations or formal accusations, use "false pretense" to denote a deliberate act of misrepresentation intended to gain something of value.

Common error

Avoid using "false pretense" when someone makes an honest mistake or misinterprets information. The phrase implies a deliberate intent to deceive, not just an error in judgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "false pretense" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, confirming its use as a representation of untrue facts, as illustrated in the provided examples. It often serves as the object of a preposition, describing the manner in which an action is carried out.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

8%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "false pretense" is a frequently used noun phrase denoting a deliberate act of deception, often with the intent of gaining something tangible. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, it carries a neutral register and is used to describe situations where someone misrepresents facts. When writing, ensure the phrase is used to indicate a deliberate attempt to deceive, rather than a simple mistake. Consider alternatives like "misleading representation" or "fraudulent claim" to add nuance or variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misleading representation

Stresses the act of presenting something inaccurately.

untrue justification

Emphasizes the lack of truth in the reason provided.

dishonest presentation

Focuses on the lack of honesty in how something is shown.

fraudulent claim

Highlights the deceitful nature of the assertion.

artificial front

Highlights the fake or insincere display.

contrived pretext

Highlights the artificial and planned nature of the deception.

deceptive facade

Emphasizes the misleading outward appearance.

deceitful maneuver

Focuses on the strategic and dishonest aspect.

sham excuse

Focuses on the insincerity of the justification.

empty charade

Underscores the lack of substance behind the false display.

FAQs

How is "false pretense" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "false pretense" is used to describe a situation where someone deceives another to gain something. For instance, "He gained entry to the building under "false pretense" by claiming to be an inspector".

What are some alternatives to using "false pretense"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "misleading representation", "fraudulent claim", or "deceptive facade" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a legal definition of "false pretense"?

Yes, in law, "false pretense" refers to a type of fraud where someone knowingly misrepresents facts to obtain money or property from another person.

What's the difference between "false pretense" and a simple lie?

"False pretense" involves a deliberate and intentional misrepresentation to gain something tangible, like money or property, whereas a simple lie might not have that specific goal or outcome.