on the pretext

USAGE SUMMARY

'on the pretext' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to refer to an action or statement that is made in order to hide the real reason for a certain action. For example, "He borrowed money from his friend on the pretext of needing money for groceries, but in reality, he wanted it for a new gadget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That afternoon, he drove out of the city, to Visoko, where one of his sisters lived, on the pretext of visiting her.

The New Yorker

But, one day, they took me to another village on the pretext of looking after my sister's newborn baby, and there I was forcibly offered to the shepherd.

The New Yorker

Even if it means denaturing it, on the pretext of wanting to bring relief to loved ones, to medical staff, or to oneself?

Annals of Intensive Care

In one case, two accomplices were found guilty of leading Hindus to a courtyard on the pretext of attending a "peace meeting".

Los Angeles Times

This is on the pretext of health and safety.

The Guardian

It gave police officers an excuse to arrest African-Americans on the pretext of intoxication.

The New York Times

Should a German court, on the pretext that war crimes are no crimes, make "ethnic distinctions"?

The New Yorker

Thicker acrylic paint is also allowed now, on the pretext that it is water-based.

The Economist

Talks about it were repeatedly called off, often on the pretext of fresh terrorist attacks.

The Economist

" 'I lived for men on the pretext of living for God...,' the priest says.

The New York Times

More ominously, another network, TV-6, was shut in January on the pretext of insolvency.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the pretext" when you want to highlight the deceptive nature of a stated reason or motive. It adds a layer of suspicion and implies that the true reason is being concealed.

Common error

Avoid using "on the pretext" when the reason provided is simply a misunderstanding or a genuine, albeit incorrect, belief. The phrase implies intentional deception, not just error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the pretext" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause. According to Ludwig AI, it introduces a reason or justification that is presented as the real motive but is, in fact, a cover for the true intention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the pretext" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce a reason or motive that is presented as genuine but is, in reality, a cover for the true intention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it implies deception and is commonly found in news, media, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts. The phrase functions to express skepticism and cast doubt on the validity of a stated reason. For alternatives, consider "under the guise of" or "under the pretense of". When writing, reserve "on the pretext" for situations where intentional deception is suspected, avoiding its use when a stated reason is simply a misunderstanding. Its usage is grammatically correct and very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under the guise of

Focuses on deception through appearance or outward show.

under the pretense of

Similar to "on the pretext", but emphasizes the act of pretending.

with the excuse of

Offers a reason, possibly untrue, to justify an action.

claiming as a reason

Highlights the act of stating a reason, which may be false.

purporting to be

Suggests a false claim about one's identity or nature.

allegedly

Indicates that a statement is made without proof and its truth is questionable.

ostensibly

Signifies that something appears to be true, but might not be.

under color of

Often used in legal contexts, implying an abuse of authority.

using as a cover

Emphasizes hiding the true reason behind something else.

making a show of

Focuses on creating a false impression through outward actions.

FAQs

How can I use "on the pretext" in a sentence?

You can use "on the pretext" to introduce a false or misleading reason for an action. For example: "He visited her "on the pretext" of needing help with his taxes, but really he wanted to ask her out."

What's a simpler way to say "on the pretext"?

Simpler alternatives include "under the guise of" or "under the pretense of". These alternatives maintain the implication of deception but may be more easily understood.

Is it ever appropriate to use "on the pretext" in formal writing?

Yes, "on the pretext" is suitable for formal writing when you need to convey that a stated reason is likely false or misleading. Its formal tone is appropriate for academic, professional, or journalistic contexts.

What is the difference between "on the pretext" and "with the excuse of"?

"On the pretext" implies a deliberate attempt to deceive, suggesting the stated reason is a complete fabrication. "With the excuse of" may imply the reason is weak or insufficient but not necessarily a lie.