pretend

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "pretend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to when someone acts as if something is true, although it may not be. For example, "The little girl wanted to pretend she was a princess".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Sport

TV & Radio

Tech

Music

Arts

Books

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Carney says the president could not pretend nothing was wrong: The shutdown that we went through had real consequences, real costs.

The Guardian

I listen to their story of woe, try to offer ideas, and secretly resolve that next time I'll pretend I'm a film director instead.

The Guardian

But there has to be one, because although most squatters just need somewhere to live and often maintain mouldering, neglected buildings and save them from terminal collapse and vandalism, what about the few really naughty squatters, who make a mess and noise, pretend to be artists and pinch your home while you're on hols or in hospital?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pearson does not pretend to be a financial whizz-kid.

The Guardian - Money

Let's pretend I am hoping to write a horror story and have come to you both for advice.

The Guardian - Film

So, in recent years, we've endured 60s, 70s and 80s revivals, punters encouraged to wear silly clothes, like silly music, and generally pretend that crap things were great, a dispiriting travesty of irony, meta-irony, disingenuousness and disingenuity.

The Guardian - Sport

However, as the results came in showing the Lib Dem share of the vote imploding, a party spokesperson told journalists gathered at Clegg's constituency count in Sheffield: "I'm not going to pretend that the Liberal Democrats are going to have anything other than a bad night".

The Guardian

And, yes, my heart was broken a little by the way Denton tried to pretend to Arnott that it was "just a cat".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But let's not pretend there aren't people really suffering at the sharp end because there are – lots of them".

The Guardian

No government can pretend to sovereignty and responsibility unless it makes every effort within its power and its means to ensure that outcome.

The Guardian - Tech

But what I also know is that we will not allow the conservatives to steal the last five years and pretend they didn't happen," Shorten said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pretend", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being feigned or imitated. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "pretend" when you mean simply "believe" or "think". "Pretend" implies a deliberate act of creating a false reality, not just holding an opinion or belief.

Linguistic Context

The verb "pretend" functions primarily to describe the act of behaving as if something is true when it is not. Ludwig AI highlights its use in various contexts, from personal interactions to political statements, indicating its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Lifestyle

12%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Sport

8%

TV & Radio

5%

Tech

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "pretend" is a common and versatile term used to describe the act of behaving as if something is true, even if it isn't. As Ludwig AI confirms, "pretend" is grammatically sound and widely applicable in various contexts. Its frequency in news and media highlights its neutrality, fitting for both formal and informal communication. When writing, ensure the context clarifies what's being feigned to avoid ambiguity. Common alternatives include "make believe", "feign", and "simulate", each offering subtle differences in meaning. Remember that "pretend" implies active deception, not mere belief or opinion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Make believe

Focuses on the act of creating a fictional scenario or role, often in play.

Feign

Implies a deliberate act of deception to create a false appearance of something.

Simulate

Suggests creating a model or imitation of something, often for study or training.

Act as if

Highlights the behavioral aspect of pretending, emphasizing the outward actions.

Profess

Emphasizes a declaration or claim, which may or may not be genuine.

Sham

Implies that something is a fake or imitation, usually intended to deceive.

Affect

Suggests putting on a behavior or mannerism, often artificially.

Dissemble

Indicates concealing one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs.

Assume a guise

Focuses on adopting a deceptive appearance or role to conceal one's true identity or intentions.

Play-act

Highlights the performative aspect of pretending, often in a theatrical or playful context.

FAQs

How do you use "pretend" in a sentence?

The word "pretend" is used to indicate an act of feigning or simulating something, often when it is not true. For example, you might say, "Let's "make believe" we're on a pirate ship" or "He tried to "feign" indifference, but his eyes betrayed him".

What are some synonyms for "pretend"?

Some synonyms for "pretend" include "make believe", "feign", "simulate", "act as if", and "profess". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "pretend like"?

While "pretend like" is commonly used in informal speech, it is generally considered less formal than simply "pretend". In formal writing, it is preferable to omit "like" and use "pretend" directly.

What is the difference between "pretend" and "imagine"?

"Pretend" implies an active and often deceptive effort to create a false reality, whereas "imagine" refers to forming a mental image or concept that may or may not be real. You "make believe" something, but you conjure up something using imagination.