pretense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a false display of feelings, attitudes, or intentions, often to deceive others. Example: "Her smile was just a pretense; deep down, she was unhappy with the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's rock'n'roll the way it was meant to be played, not with boogie or pretense, but just straight freshness and intense energy.

The Guardian - Music

JAMES SUROWIECKI is complaining about the deadweight loss of Christmas:An economist might suggest that the solution is to abandon the pretense and simply start exchanging small piles of money.

The Economist

But the results in Nevada confirm again: this is a Barack-Hillary fight that will run at least through February 5th, and the voters are making Mr Edwards's pretense look increasingly more pathetic.

The Economist

That kind of mandatory pretense engenders cynicism both on the part of police and on the part of the citizens they deal with.If Arizonans want to press public servants to be much more aggressive in determining immigration status, they can do one of two things.

The Economist

Finally, that pretense is dropped, but others remain.

The Economist

Starting on December 8th, they may use the pretense of a Washington economic conference to launch a second lame-duck session of Congress.

The Economist

For the view that the pretense theory is compatible with a theory of fictional objects as real objects, see Zalta 2000.

SEP

So long as we engage in the pretense of a story, however, there is no special need for it.

SEP

From this vantage point, it might be argued that Russell's "logical atomism" can be understood as first and foremost a commitment to analysis as a method coupled with a rejection of idealistic monism, rather than a pretense to have discovered the genuine metaphysical "atoms" making up the world of facts, or even the belief that such a discovery is possible (cf. Linsky 2003).

SEP

He preserved the dialogical form even in those of his late works where Socrates is replaced by a stand-in and the didactic nature of the presentations is hard to reconcile with the pretense of dialogue.

SEP

Here I am, in effect, using a pretense to convey information about the real world.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretense" when you want to emphasize the act of feigning or pretending, often to create a false impression. It suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal true feelings or intentions.

Common error

Avoid using "pretense" when you mean "pretensions". "Pretense" refers to the act of pretending, while "pretensions" refers to a claim to importance or merit, especially when unjustified. For example, "He dropped the pretense of being busy" versus "She had pretensions of being a great artist".

Linguistic Context

The word "pretense" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a false appearance or action intended to deceive. It can describe a facade or a simulated behavior, as shown in the Ludwig examples, where it modifies other nouns to create phrases like "pretense of accuracy" or "mandatory pretense". Ludwig AI confirms that it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretense" is a frequently used noun that describes a false appearance or action intended to deceive. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and versatile, appearing commonly in both News & Media and Science contexts. While it can be used in everyday conversation, it's more often found in formal writing, emphasizing a discrepancy between appearance and reality. When writing, be careful not to confuse "pretense" with "pretensions", and remember that its power lies in exposing insincerity. Related phrases like "sham" or "affectation" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific meaning you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretext

Indicates a reason given to hide the real one.

deception

Directly refers to the act of misleading or deceiving.

sham

Highlights the fraudulent nature of something.

feigning

Highlights the act of pretending or imitating.

insincerity

Directly points to the lack of genuineness or honesty.

affectation

Focuses on artificial behavior designed to impress.

subterfuge

Suggests the use of cunning or trickery to conceal something.

false display

Emphasizes the deceptive presentation of something.

guise

Implies an outward appearance that conceals the true nature.

make-believe

Implies a fabricated reality or imagined scenario.

FAQs

How can I use "pretense" in a sentence?

You can use "pretense" to describe a false appearance or action intended to deceive, as in "He maintained a "pretense of calm" despite his anxiety" or "The meeting was held under the "pretense of negotiation", but the decision had already been made".

What are some synonyms for "pretense"?

Some synonyms for "pretense" include "affectation", "sham", "deception", "subterfuge", and "pretext". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "pretense" and "pretension"?

"Pretense" refers to the act of pretending or feigning, while "pretension" refers to a claim to importance or merit, especially when unjustified. They are related but have distinct meanings. For example, "He dropped the pretense of ignorance" versus "Her pretensions of grandeur were laughable".

In what contexts is the word "pretense" typically used?

The word "pretense" is often used in contexts involving social interactions, politics, and personal relationships to describe situations where people are not being genuine or honest. It can also be used in philosophical discussions about reality and appearance, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig from sources such as the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.