put on a pretense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put on a pretense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is pretending or acting in a way that is not genuine, often to deceive others. Example: "She decided to put on a pretense of confidence during the meeting, even though she felt nervous inside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"On the outside, I put on a pretense, I took on a stronger countenance.

The New York Times

Salt Lake Police Detective Jeff Payne initially put on a pretense of patience in the burn unit.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the weeks leading up to my checking into 4 Center, I had gone from being able to put on a faltering imitation of mental health to giving up all pretense of a manageable disguise.

The New York Times - Magazine

Put on a swimsuit!

WikiHow

Put on a scarf.

WikiHow

Put on a blindfold.

WikiHow

Put on a moisturizer.

WikiHow

Put on a hat.

WikiHow

Put on a smile!

WikiHow

Put on a tablecloth.

WikiHow

Put on a helmet.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put on a pretense", ensure the context clearly indicates the intention to deceive or create a false impression. It's most effective when highlighting a deliberate act of masking one's true feelings or intentions.

Common error

Avoid using "put on a pretense" when simply describing someone adopting a role or persona without deceptive intent. "Pretense" inherently implies an element of falseness or deceit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put on a pretense" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of adopting a deceptive or false outward appearance. Ludwig confirms this usage, demonstrating that it's employed to describe the act of feigning qualities or emotions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put on a pretense" is a phrase used to describe the act of creating a false appearance or behaving in a way that is not genuine. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct, though its usage is relatively infrequent, appearing mostly in news and media and wiki contexts. Related phrases include "feign a facade" and "put up a front". When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the intention to deceive or create a false impression. A common mistake is using it when simply describing someone adopting a role without deceptive intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feign a facade

Emphasizes the act of creating a deceptive outward appearance.

put up a front

Focuses on the action of creating a defensive or misleading image.

affect an air

Highlights the assumed manner or behavior.

assume a guise

Implies taking on a deceptive identity or outward appearance.

simulate a persona

Suggests a deliberate imitation of a specific character or role.

fake an image

Focuses on creating a false external representation.

display a charade

Highlights the deceptive and often elaborate nature of the pretense.

act out a sham

Emphasizes the performative aspect of the deception.

profess a false show

Indicates a declared but untrue display.

make a false display

Highlights the deceptive nature of the outward presentation.

FAQs

What does "put on a pretense" mean?

The phrase "put on a pretense" means to create a false appearance or to behave in a way that is not genuine, often to deceive others or hide one's true feelings.

How can I use "put on a pretense" in a sentence?

You might say, "She decided to "put on a pretense" of confidence during the meeting, even though she felt nervous inside".

What are some alternatives to "put on a pretense"?

Alternatives include "feign a facade", "put up a front", or "affect an air", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "put on a pretense" formal or informal?

The phrase "put on a pretense" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in slightly formal writing or speech where you want to emphasize the act of deception or creating a false impression.