pretend being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'pretend being' is not grammatically correct and should not be used in written English.
A more natural phrase would be 'pretend to be'. For example, "She was pretending to be a superhero."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He'd kick imaginary balls in the living room, cheer himself on as one of thousands of imaginary supporters from the sideline and pretend being an interviewer, interviewing himself.

The Guardian - Sport

This might have tempted some soldiers to pretend being ill resulting in an overestimation of case numbers.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But pretend isn't.

Independent

"Extend and pretend is over," he said.

The New York Times

That particular game of pretend is up.

The New York Times

We are what we pretend to be.

Forbes

Pretend you're someone you're not.

WikiHow

"Pretending is imagined possibility".

The Guardian - Film

"Pretending is not just play," Streep said.

The Guardian - Film

Pretending is not just play.

Huffington Post

Pretending is nice, but having one is horrible!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action of pretending, consider using stronger verbs like "feign", "simulate", or "impersonate" for greater clarity and impact.

Common error

A common mistake is using a gerund ("eing"") directly after "pretend". Always use the infinitive form "to be" after "pretend" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretend being" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically attempting to use "pretend" with a gerund. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage requires the infinitive form, "pretend to be".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "pretend being" might occasionally appear in informal contexts, it is grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the correct form is "pretend to be". Consider using alternatives like "act as if one is" or "make believe to be" for clearer and more accurate communication. Remember to use the infinitive form after "pretend" to avoid grammatical errors. The limited examples of "pretend being" suggest it's best avoided in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretend to be

This is the standard and grammatically correct way to express the action of pretending.

act as if one is

This alternative emphasizes the behavior and actions that mimic a certain state or identity.

make believe to be

This option highlights the imaginative aspect of pretending.

feign being

This suggests a deceptive element, implying that the pretense is not genuine.

simulate being

This emphasizes the act of creating a false representation or imitation of something.

pose as

This alternative focuses on the act of presenting oneself falsely as someone or something else.

impersonate

This alternative emphasizes the act of mimicking someone's behavior or appearance.

masquerade as

This suggests a more elaborate and potentially deceptive form of pretending.

play the part of

This emphasizes the role-playing aspect of pretending.

affect being

This implies an artificial or insincere display of a certain quality or state.

FAQs

Is "pretend being" grammatically correct?

No, the correct form is "pretend to be". The phrase "pretend being" is not considered standard English.

What's a better alternative to "pretend being"?

The most direct and grammatically sound alternative is "pretend to be". Other options include "act as if one is" or "make believe to be".

How do I use "pretend to be" in a sentence?

You can use "pretend to be" to describe someone acting as something they are not. For example, "She pretended to be a doctor."

What is the difference between "pretend to be" and "simulate"?

"Pretend to be" implies a simple act of make-believe, while "simulate" suggests a more deliberate and often technical imitation.