purporting to

USAGE SUMMARY

"purporting to" is a correct phrase in written English that is commonly used to express an action or claim that is believed or intended to be true, but may not necessarily be.
It is often used to express skepticism or doubt about the validity of the action or claim. Example: The article on the internet was purporting to provide tips for weight loss, but upon further research, it was found to be written by a company promoting their own products. In this example, the phrase "purporting to" suggests that the article may not actually be providing genuine or accurate information about weight loss, and the reader should approach it with skepticism.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Any law purporting to bash bankers will be popular.

The Economist

False photographs; photographs purporting to be what they are not?

The Guardian

It is directly linked to people purporting to support Jeremy," he told Press Association.

Independent

We were an almost entirely Caucasian congregation, purporting to represent the cream of British culture.

Independent

A photograph was produced purporting to show a funeral for dead villagers.

The Economist

He showed the writer a number of documents purporting to prove his point.

The New Yorker

To cover their backs they would ask for scans or urine samples purporting to show injuries.

The Economist

The opposition al-Wefaq party also circulated graphic images purporting to show the pock marked bodies purporting to show victims of shotgun attacks (see 9.08am).

The Guardian

Masked men purporting to belong to the group have given interviews denouncing the Brotherhood.

The New York Times

Sassy retail campaigns have sprung up everywhere, purporting to "support the cause".

The New York Times - Magazine

While purporting to support the Constitution, they have ignored or misrepresented the government's fiscal responsibilities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "purporting to" when you want to express that something claims to be true or have a particular quality, but you have doubts about its validity or authenticity. For example, "The email was "purporting to" be from my bank, but I suspected it was a phishing scam."

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear that the claim being made is potentially questionable or unverified. Using it without this context might confuse the reader, as it implies skepticism that might not be intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "purporting to" functions as a qualifying verb phrase, used to describe a subject that claims or appears to be something, often with an implication of doubt or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "purporting to" is a versatile verb phrase used to express that something claims to be true, but its authenticity or validity is questionable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across different contexts, particularly in news, science, and wiki sources. When writing, using "purporting to" is a good option if you want to convey a sense of skepticism. If not, alternatives like ""claiming to"" or ""alleging to"" might be more appropriate. Be sure the context makes it clear that the claim being made is potentially questionable or unverified.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

claiming to

Focuses on the assertion of a claim, which may or may not be truthful, similar to "purporting to".

alleging to

Highlights an assertion or accusation, especially one not yet proven, mirroring the uncertainty implied by "purporting to".

professing to

Emphasizes a declaration or avowal, which may be questioned, similar to "purporting to".

pretending to

Indicates a false or deceptive claim, aligning with the potential skepticism associated with "purporting to".

appearing to

Stresses the surface-level appearance, which may differ from the reality, similar to "purporting to".

ostensibly

Highlights that something is presented as being true, but its real motivation is different.

represented as

Indicates a presentation or description, often with the implication that it may not be entirely accurate, similar to "purporting to".

with the intention of

Focuses on the stated intention, which might not be the actual or achievable goal, differing slightly from "purporting to" by emphasizing intent.

under the guise of

Highlights the use of a deceptive appearance or pretense, which can be stronger than that implied in "purporting to".

masquerading as

Suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal the true nature or identity, emphasizing deception more strongly than "purporting to".

FAQs

How to use "purporting to" in a sentence?

Use "purporting to" when describing something that claims to be or do something, but whose authenticity or truthfulness you suspect. For instance, "The document was "purporting to" be official, but it lacked a proper seal."

What can I say instead of "purporting to"?

You can use alternatives like "claiming to", "alleging to", or "professing to" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "purporting to be" or "purporting as"?

"Purporting to be" is the correct and more common usage. "Purporting as" is less conventional and might sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "purporting to" and "claiming to"?

While both indicate an assertion, ""claiming to"" is a more neutral statement of assertion. "Purporting to" implies a degree of skepticism or doubt about the truthfulness or validity of the claim.