make no pretense

USAGE SUMMARY

"make no pretense" is a valid phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to not pretend or deceive, to be honest and transparent. Example: The politician made no pretense of caring for the welfare of his constituents; it was clear that his only concern was his own personal gain.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Macarons make no pretense of ease.

The New York Times

Desserts, seven all told, make no pretense of restraint.

The New York Times - Arts

Now, I make no pretense that these are my concerns.

The New York Times - Food

For one thing, the electronic driving aids and displays make no pretense about what they're doing.

The New York Times

Samir and Vineet Jain make no pretense that what they do is a public calling.

The New Yorker

Some doctors make no pretense of being interested in the Internet data of their patients.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Mugabe made no pretense of sustaining democracy.

The New Yorker

Mr. Carter makes no pretense of simplicity.

The New York Times - Arts

He makes no pretense of holding a medical degree.

The New York Times

She makes no pretense of being a disengaged observer.

The New Yorker

He made no pretense of being a Washington insider.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "make no claim" or "make no excuse" if you want to specify the action that isn't being faked.

Common error

Avoid using "make no pretense" when you simply want to state a fact without implying any prior deception or hidden agenda. It's best suited for situations where transparency is noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make no pretense" functions as a declarative expression, indicating a lack of insincerity or deception. As evidenced by the examples found by Ludwig, it often modifies a subject's actions, emphasizing their honesty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make no pretense" is a common phrase used to indicate a lack of deception or insincerity. According to Ludwig's analysis, it's grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media sources. The phrase serves to communicate transparency and authenticity. When writing, ensure that it's used in contexts where the absence of pretense is a key aspect of the message. While 'pretense' and 'pretence' are both correct, the former is more common in American English. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is indeed valid, and this analysis has provided you with a comprehensive guide to mastering its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be honest about

Directly addresses the quality of being truthful regarding a specific topic.

be upfront

Emphasizes honesty and openness from the beginning.

be forthright

Highlights directness and lack of hesitation in expressing oneself.

be candid

Focuses on straightforwardness and honesty in communication.

be genuine

Highlights authenticity and sincerity.

not dissimulate

Formal term indicating the absence of concealing one's thoughts or feelings.

eschew artifice

Formal term emphasizing the avoidance of artificiality or pretense.

lay bare

Implies revealing something that was previously hidden.

show one's true colors

Idiomatic expression for revealing one's real character or intentions.

wear your heart on your sleeve

Idiomatic expression indicating open and honest display of emotions.

FAQs

How can I use "make no pretense" in a sentence?

You can use "make no pretense" to indicate a lack of deception or insincerity. For example: "The company "made no excuse" for its poor performance."

What's the difference between "make no pretense" and "make no excuse"?

"Make no pretense" generally means not attempting to deceive, while "make no excuse" means not offering justifications for a fault or failure. The former focuses on honesty, and the latter focuses on accepting responsibility.

What can I say instead of "make no pretense"?

Alternatives include "be honest about", "be upfront", or "be candid" depending on the context.

Is it "make no pretense" or "make no pretence"?

Both spellings are technically correct, as "pretense" and "pretence" are accepted variants. However, "pretense" is more common in American English, while "pretence" is more common in British English.