in the pretence of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the pretence of" is not correct; the correct form is "in the pretense of." You can use it when describing a situation where someone is acting under a false appearance or guise.
Example: "He entered the meeting in the pretense of being an expert, but he had no real knowledge of the subject."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Banks are intrinsically fragile entities, which is why, historically, they have invested so much in the pretence of security and solidity.

The Economist

Religious leaders not only connive with this hypocrisy, but also attempt to revel in the pretence of a unique identity, in which minor differences are heightened – the complete antipathy of shared humanity, which is supposedly the essence and fundamental belief of all faiths.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

To prevent their marriage the daughter devises an ill-fated plot in which the pretence of an affair between her boyfriend and the father's dumped girlfriend is intended to provoke jealousy and restore the status quo ante.

The Guardian - Books

Baker may have found a worthy adversary in Jay Bulger, a novice documentary maker who visited him in South Africa under the pretence of being a reporter for Rolling Stone a decade ago.

The Guardian - Music

In 1930, on the pretence of going to Paris to look for a place to live, Enriquez disappeared back to Cuba with their second daughter, Isabetta.

The Guardian - Arts

Now, in most provinces, even the pretence of a coalition has gone: almost all senior officials are CPP men.In this section Power struggle The dammed No thanks, IMF Cambodia's many-headed monster Seeing is believing New south republic?

The Economist

Preaching a new German gospel How to lose friends A country awaits Shrinking again High-class errand boys ReprintsMr Putin may be tempted to salvage his credibility by sending in Russian troops on the pretence of a "humanitarian" operation.

The Economist

It wasn't totally unpleasant, but much like most chain restaurant items consumed in other countries under the pretence of them being somehow different, it was disappointing.

Vice

And because it was my job to ground him, I became a co-conspirator in normality, or at least the pretence of normality.

The Guardian

And in 1956 she smokes out the pretence of Anthony Eden (an excellently twitchy Michael Elwyn) that our invasion of Suez was a response to Israeli aggression rather than the result of military and diplomatic collusion.

The Guardian

Keiko Arimoto While studying in London, she was lured to Copenhagen on the pretence of a job interview in July 1983.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the correct phrase: "in the pretense of". Be mindful of the spelling difference between 'pretence' and 'pretense'. The latter is the standard spelling in American English.

Common error

Avoid using the spelling "pretence" in American English. While "pretence" is acceptable in British English, "pretense" is the standard form in American English. Always verify your target audience and adjust the spelling accordingly.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "in the pretence of" is as a prepositional phrase. However, it's crucial to note, as Ludwig AI indicates, that the correct form is "in the pretense of". This phrase typically introduces a false or deceptive motive for an action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the pretence of" is identified by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "in the pretense of". It functions as a prepositional phrase to indicate a deceptive or false motive. While "in the pretense of" appears mostly in News & Media contexts, it's advisable to use it with caution, ensuring the correct spelling and being aware of more common alternatives such as ""under the guise of"" or "under the pretext of". Due to its rarity and the existence of clearer alternatives, writers should consider the context carefully before employing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under the guise of

This phrase emphasizes the deceptive appearance or outward show that someone or something presents.

under the pretext of

This phrase highlights the false reason or excuse given to conceal the true purpose or motive.

on the pretext of

Similar to 'under the pretext of', but places more emphasis on the stated reason as the starting point for an action.

with the excuse of

This phrase suggests a justification, often weak or unconvincing, for a particular action or behavior.

posing as

This phrase emphasizes the act of impersonating someone or something, often with the intent to deceive.

feigning

This single word conveys the act of pretending or faking a particular feeling, condition, or quality.

masquerading as

This phrase suggests a more elaborate or theatrical disguise, often used to conceal a true identity or purpose.

cloaked in

This phrase implies that something is concealed or hidden beneath a deceptive covering or appearance.

ostensibly

This adverb indicates that something appears to be true or is stated to be true, but may not actually be the case.

professedly

Similar to 'ostensibly', this adverb suggests that something is claimed or asserted, but may be doubted or disbelieved.

FAQs

How do you use "in the pretense of" correctly in a sentence?

Use "in the pretense of" to describe someone acting under a false appearance. For example: "He approached her "in the pretense of" offering help, but really wanted to steal her wallet."

What's the difference between "in the pretense of" and "under the guise of"?

"In the pretense of" and "under the guise of" are very similar. "Under the guise of" emphasizes a deceptive appearance. You could use: "He acted "under the guise of" friendship to get closer to her secret."

Is "in the pretence of" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig, "in the pretence of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "in the pretense of."

What are some alternatives to "in the pretense of"?

Some alternatives to "in the pretense of" include "under the pretext of", "with the excuse of", and "posing as".