on the pretext of

USAGE SUMMARY

'on the pretext of' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when someone uses an excuse to do something, typically something considered deceptive. For example, "He visited her house on the pretext of returning a book she had lent him, but really he only wanted to see her."

✓ 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

Miss Baxter left the girls at the hotel beach one afternoon to go into town on the pretext of visiting churches.

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

This is what Muslims need to understand that one can not just completely dismiss every claim on the pretext of generalization and stereotyping.

Huffington Post

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

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

The Economist

Participants were recruited on the pretext of a consultation as part of a training design on addictions.

Psychologie Française

He managed to lure her into the garage on the pretext of them talking about it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the pretext of" to clearly indicate that a stated reason is likely false or misleading. This adds a layer of suspicion or skepticism to your writing.

Common error

While effective, relying too heavily on "on the pretext of" can make your writing sound repetitive or overly cynical. Vary your language with synonyms like "under the guise of" or "under the pretense of" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the pretext of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the false or ostensible reason for an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0.03%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on the pretext of" serves as a critical tool in writing, signaling skepticism or doubt regarding a stated reason for an action. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is indeed correct and frequently employed, primarily in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Scientific sources. When wielding this phrase, it's important to maintain variety and clarity by considering synonyms such as "under the guise of" or "under the pretense of" to avoid repetitiveness. This will enrich your writing and ensure that your message, laden with insightful skepticism, resonates effectively with your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under the guise of

Suggests a deceptive appearance or outward show that hides the true nature or purpose.

on the pretense of

Implies a false claim or insincere intention put forward as the reason for doing something.

with the excuse of

Indicates that a reason is being given to justify an action, but it might not be the real or honest reason.

under the color of

Describes an action that appears to be legal or legitimate but is actually unlawful or improper.

cloaked in the semblance of

Emphasizes that something is being concealed or disguised by an outward appearance.

masquerading as

Suggests that someone or something is pretending to be something else, usually to deceive or mislead.

allegedly for the purpose of

Indicates that a stated aim or intention is questionable or not necessarily the true reason.

ostensibly to

Suggests that something is presented as the reason, but the real reason may be different.

purportedly for

Highlights that a claimed reason is doubtful or unconfirmed.

professedly to

Emphasizes that a reason is being declared or asserted, but it may not be genuine.

FAQs

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

Use "on the pretext of" to show that someone is using a false reason or excuse to hide their real intentions. For example, "He visited her office "on the pretext of" discussing the budget, but he really wanted to ask her out."

What are some alternatives to "on the pretext of"?

You can use phrases like "under the guise of", "under the pretense of", or "with the excuse of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "on the pretext of" or "under the pretext of"?

Both "on the pretext of" and "under the pretext of" are grammatically correct and have the same meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What does "on the pretext of" imply about the stated reason?

"On the pretext of" implies that the stated reason is likely false or misleading, used as a cover for a different, often less acceptable, true intention.