pretend anything else

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretend anything else" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to suggest that one should act as if something different is true, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "If you want to avoid conflict, you might have to pretend anything else is happening."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Why pretend anything else?

Independent

Yes, Brazil has its problems in the buildup to these finals and they are not trying to pretend anything else.

The Guardian - Sport

As Mary McCarthy pointed out more than forty years ago (in "Venice Observed"), Venice is a "folding picture-postcard of itself": the tourist Venice is Venice, and it is folly to pretend anything else.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

She's right when she says we're "flesh creatures" and are therefore "dealing with an inside/outside continuum situation where existence is concerned; one informs the other, they're on a loop" and that "pretending anything else is just unmitigated bat shit".

Vice

I don't pretend anything.

The New York Times

"They don't have to pretend anything.

The New York Times

I do not want pretend anything.

Independent

You are pretending, you can pretend anything you like.

WikiHow

To pretend that anything else was going through the mind of whoever put the dress code together is risible.

The Guardian - Opinion

We act virtuously only because this is part of the social machine which keeps us alive… If so, however, it is surely odd that we should ever have begun to pretend that anything else was involved?

The Guardian - Opinion

"Nobody is pretending anything.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "pretend anything else" in formal writing. It is grammatically awkward and may confuse your readers. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "act as if" or "feign something different".

Common error

Do not assume that frequent use of a phrase online equates to grammatical correctness. While "pretend anything else" appears in various online contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Rely on established grammatical rules for formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretend anything else" primarily functions as a verb phrase intended to express the act of feigning or behaving as if something were different from the truth. However, according to Ludwig AI, this specific phrasing is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "pretend anything else" appears in various online sources, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. The phrase attempts to convey the act of feigning or creating a false impression but should be avoided in formal writing. Alternatives like "act as if" or "feign something different" are recommended for clearer and more accurate communication. Its limited frequency and grammatical issues contribute to a low expert rating. Therefore, it's best to use more conventional and grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feign something different

This alternative suggests creating a false appearance, differing in that it emphasizes the act of deception more directly.

act as if something else is happening

This implies behaving as though a different situation is unfolding, which focuses on the outward behavior rather than inner pretense.

masquerade as something else

This suggests concealing one's true nature or identity, which carries a stronger connotation of disguise.

affect a different persona

This implies adopting a different character or identity, focusing on the assumed role rather than the underlying deception.

simulate another scenario

This emphasizes the creation of a false reality, which is less about personal pretense and more about creating an artificial environment.

fabricate a different reality

Similar to simulate, but suggests a more deliberate and constructed deception.

concoct an alternative narrative

This implies creating a story or explanation that is not true, focusing on the invented story rather than the act of pretending.

put on a false front

This is about projecting a misleading appearance, which focuses on the superficial aspect of pretending.

give a false impression

Similar to putting on a false front, but focuses on the effect of the pretense on others.

create a different facade

This suggests building a deceptive exterior, emphasizing the constructed and artificial nature of the pretense.

FAQs

Is "pretend anything else" grammatically correct?

No, "pretend anything else" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "act as if" or "feign something" instead.

What can I say instead of "pretend anything else"?

You can use alternatives such as "act as if something is happening", "feign something different", or "masquerade as something else" depending on the context.

How can I use "pretend anything else" correctly in a sentence?

It's advisable to avoid using "pretend anything else" altogether in formal or professional writing. If you aim to convey the idea of acting as if something different is true, rephrase the sentence for clarity and grammatical accuracy using one of the suggested alternatives.

What's the difference between "pretend anything else" and "act as if"?

"Pretend anything else" is not grammatically sound. Instead, use "act as if", which is a grammatically correct way to express behaving as though something is different from reality.