feigning

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "feigning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone who is pretending or faking a feeling, condition, or behavior. Example: "She was feigning interest in the conversation, but her mind was elsewhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Party members have complained about the printing of surplus ballot papers, irregularities in the voters' roll, traditional leaders "frogmarching" villagers to the polls, people feigning illiteracy to be "assisted", voters being bussed to faraway constituencies, and the malign influence of the military.

The Guardian

A weekend highlight was the sight of Samuel Eto'o feigning a bad back and resting on the corner flag after scoring Chelsea's breakthrough goal against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Guardian - Sport

So it is presumably for a celebrated performance in the The Stud, the pornographic movie in which a naked Dame Joan stood out by bravely feigning sex on a swing, that both the honours committee's Sir Bob Kerslake and the Queen felt compelled to thank her, on all our behalves, exalting her over colleagues such as Julie Walters, Victoria Wood, and Helen McCrory.

The Guardian - Opinion

According to a report in the daily Corriere della Sera, psychiatrists who have examined Daniele are convinced he is not feigning amnesia.

The Guardian

Politicians could spend less time feigning admiration for babies and more time governing.

The Economist

HEAD-BUTTING, stamping, insults, feigning injury: in too many ways, the FIFA World Cup darkened the image of those who play the beautiful game.

The Economist

Yet the ability of his regime to profit from the divisions of its opponents, and confuse people by feigning moderation, has not entirely evaporated.Not that Serbia's shambling opposition ever needs much encouragement to lay bare its own squabbles.

The Economist

Feigning surprise, the British and French issued an ultimatum to both sides to cease fire.

The Economist

With everyone feigning rude health, a cure for the crisis can once again be put on hold.Even if the government were resolved to act, it would almost certainly fail, for a second key opposition demand has also been thwarted.

The Economist

Each side may simply be feigning sweet reason, while nursing a secret hope that the other side will oblige by sabotaging any real progress.

The Economist

By feigning ignorance, aggrieved investors hope to browbeat the government into holding the banks liable, he argues.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feigning", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being pretended or faked. For example, "feigning illness" or "feigning surprise".

Common error

Avoid using "feigning" when simply meaning 'seeming' or 'appearing'. "Feigning" implies a deliberate act of deception, not just a surface-level impression.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "feigning" is that of a present participle or gerund, often used to describe an action being performed deceptively. It modifies nouns or verbs to indicate pretense, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feigning" is a versatile term used to describe the act of pretending or simulating, generally with deceptive intent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedic, and scientific writings. Its prevalence across authoritative sources indicates its common usage. Remember to use "feigning" when you specifically want to emphasize the act of deception rather than simply 'seeming' or 'appearing'. Alternative words like "pretending", "simulating" or "faking" can be appropriate substitutes depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretending

Uses a simpler verb form indicating a similar act of deception.

faking

A more informal synonym for pretending.

simulating

Implies creating a false appearance or effect.

putting on an act

Emphasizes the performance aspect of feigning.

affecting

Implies deliberately adopting a behavior or mannerism to deceive.

deceiving

Focuses on the intent to mislead others.

acting as if

Describes the behavior of someone who is pretending.

masquerading as

Suggests concealing one's true identity or nature.

shamming

An older term for feigning, implying deceit.

making believe

A more playful or childlike way of expressing pretense.

FAQs

How can I use "feigning" in a sentence?

Use "feigning" to describe someone who is pretending to have a particular feeling, illness, or reaction. For example, "He was "feigning illness" to avoid work."

What are some alternatives to "feigning"?

You can use alternatives like "pretending", "simulating", or "faking", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "feigning" formal or informal?

"Feigning" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, simpler alternatives like "pretending" may be preferred in casual conversation.

What is the difference between "feigning" and "simulating"?

"Feigning" implies a direct attempt to deceive, often about a feeling or condition, whereas "simulating" suggests creating a realistic imitation of something. For example, you might feign sadness but simulate a flight.