she pretends that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she pretends that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is acting as if something is true when it is not, often in a context of deception or imagination. Example: "She pretends that she is happy, but deep down, she feels lonely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

She pretends that she thought it was Belle's idea.

The New Yorker

He makes believe he is Mrs. Johnson in darkest Africa, and she pretends that she is cranking a camera, taking shot of the animals he is shooting.

The New Yorker

In between gunshots and explosions, she pretends that her father isn't the coolest ever while he races to save life as we know it.

The New York Times

One of my colleagues recently told me that when she's in a tense situation, she pretends that she's an actor who is skilled at dealing with discomfort.

Harvard Business Review

She doesn't want to be stuck with the uncool kid — and who does? — but she pretends that her protest against the arrangement has loftier motivations.

The New York Times - Arts

His marriage is founded on mutual deceit: he pretends that his activities are legitimate, and she pretends that she has no suspicions to the contrary.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But neither does she pretend that schisms didn't, or don't, exist.

The Guardian - Books

She pretended that she did not hear.

The New Yorker

She pretended that she was pleased with her new life.

The New Yorker

(She pretended that she had a pet bird named Cracker).

The New Yorker

When she didn't understand something, she pretended that she did until she got it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context of your sentence. If you want to emphasize the performance aspect, alternatives like "she acts as if" or "she puts on an act" may be more appropriate.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying heavily on "she pretends that" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "she feigns" or "she simulates" to maintain reader engagement and convey nuances in meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she pretends that" functions as a verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause. It indicates a deliberate act of creating a false impression or behaving as if something is true when it is not. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is commonly used to describe a character's actions or motivations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she pretends that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a discrepancy between appearance and reality. It is commonly employed to describe how someone intentionally acts in a manner inconsistent with their true feelings or circumstances. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase has a neutral register and appears frequently in news and media. While grammatically correct, consider using synonyms like "she acts as if" or "she feigns that" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she acts as if

Replaces "pretends" with "acts as if", focusing on the outward behavior.

she feigns that

Uses "feigns" instead of "pretends", suggesting a more deliberate deception.

she makes believe that

Emphasizes the imaginative aspect of pretending, similar to playing a role.

she puts on an act as if

Highlights the performance aspect of pretending, implying a conscious effort to deceive.

she gives the impression that

Focuses on the perception created, rather than the intention behind it.

she appears to believe that

Suggests a surface-level belief, without confirming its authenticity.

she postures as if

Implies a pretentious or artificial manner of pretending.

she plays the part of someone who

Emphasizes the role-playing aspect of pretending.

she simulates belief in

Formally suggests the creation of an artificial reality through imitation.

she dissembles by

Implies a deliberate attempt to conceal her true feelings or beliefs.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "she pretends that"?

You can use alternatives like "she acts as if", "she feigns that", or "she makes believe that" depending on the context.

How to use "she pretends that" in a sentence?

"She pretends that" is followed by a clause stating what she is pretending. For example, "She pretends that she is not angry, but her clenched fists give her away."

Is "she pretends like" grammatically correct instead of "she pretends that"?

While some might use "she pretends like" informally, "she pretends that" is the grammatically preferred construction in formal writing.

What's the difference between "she pretends that" and "she imagines that"?

"She pretends that" suggests a deliberate act of creating a false impression, while "she imagines that" implies a genuine, though perhaps unrealistic, mental scenario. "She pretends that" usually involves an audience, even if it's just herself, while "she imagines that" is more internal.