pretend to comply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretend to comply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is acting as if they are following rules or requests, but they are not genuinely doing so. Example: "In order to avoid conflict, he decided to pretend to comply with the new regulations, even though he had no intention of following them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In this particular case, ordinary investors demanded a crackdown on corporate malfeasance -- and Mr. Pitt pretended to comply.

The New York Times

"The report is a stunning revelation of how far a country can get in making the bomb while pretending to comply with international inspections," Gary Milhollin, director of the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, told Reuters.

The New York Times

That was a nightmare scenario in the exploding market, so the foreigners pretended to comply and started all sorts of half-hearted projects using obsolete platforms and technology, resulting in cars that never made it to the market.

Forbes

Lafayette wanted to believe it, and pretended to comply with the order to report to Marseilles, going only a few miles east before turning around and returning to his ship.

Wikipedia

And so we have a strange possibility here -- Russia and Syria may team up on "pretending to comply with a plan to dispose of chemical weapons" that looks on the surface like they are just sticking it to America and having a good laugh.

Huffington Post

In conversation, you can pretend to take something as an epistemic possibility, temporarily, to comply with the epistemic state of the hearer.

SEP

Students pretend to wear masks.

Yale University

Commentators pretend to clairvoyance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nor do they pretend to.

The Economist

Pretend to call police.

Crime Science

I pretend to acknowledge her pretend cry.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a synonym if you want to emphasize a specific aspect of the insincere compliance, such as deception (e.g., "feign compliance") or lack of effort (e.g., "go through the motions").

Common error

Be careful not to use "pretend to comply" when someone is genuinely trying to follow rules, even if they struggle or make mistakes. This phrase implies a deliberate insincerity, not just imperfect execution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretend to comply" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action. It describes the act of feigning agreement or adherence to a rule or request, implying a lack of genuine intention to follow through. According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pretend to comply" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of feigning adherence to rules or requests without genuine intent. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it serves to highlight insincerity or deception. While grammatically correct, synonyms like "feign compliance" or "act as if compliant" might be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to avoid using this phrase when someone is genuinely trying to comply, even if they are struggling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feign compliance

Emphasizes the act of faking compliance, often to deceive or avoid consequences.

act as if compliant

Focuses on the outward behavior mimicking compliance, without genuine intent.

simulate adherence

Highlights the artificial nature of the compliance, suggesting a deliberate imitation.

make a show of compliance

Implies that the compliance is primarily for appearances, lacking substance.

play along with the rules

Suggests a temporary and insincere agreement with established regulations.

go through the motions

Highlights the lack of genuine effort or engagement in the act of compliance.

give lip service to

Implies expressing agreement or support without taking meaningful action.

appear to be following

Focuses on the superficial appearance of compliance, leaving room for doubt.

put up a facade of compliance

Highlights the deceptive aspect of the compliance, suggesting a deliberate construction of a false image.

masquerade as compliant

Suggests a complete act of deception, trying to hide true non-compliant behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "pretend to comply" in a sentence?

You can use "pretend to comply" to describe situations where someone acts as if they are following rules or requests, but they are not genuinely doing so. For example: "In order to avoid conflict, he decided to "pretend to comply" with the new regulations, even though he had no intention of following them."

What are some alternatives to "pretend to comply"?

Alternatives include phrases like "feign compliance", "act as if compliant", or "make a show of compliance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "pretend to comply"?

Yes, "pretend to comply" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of "pretend to" + verb.

What's the difference between "pretend to comply" and "try to comply"?

"Pretend to comply" implies insincerity and a lack of genuine effort, whereas "try to comply" suggests a genuine attempt, even if unsuccessful. The former indicates deception, while the latter indicates effort.