under the facade of

USAGE SUMMARY

'under the facade of' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when someone is attempting to mask their true intentions, interests, or emotions. For example: "John was pretending to be a friendly coworker, but his true intentions were hidden under the facade of kindness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But does it have to be by newspaper proprietors and editors under the facade of self-regulation?

The Guardian - Opinion

The new square sits under the facade of the Grade-I listed station, constructed to Lewis Cubitt's design in 1852 but barely seen since.

The Guardian

Yet, despite the professedly innocuous intent of such systems, states of emergency have a dark history of being used in controversial ways to usher in tyrannical regimes, under the facade of confronting a threat to the existence of the nation.

Columbia University

Under the facade of his giving Amelia religious instruction to become a nun, he meets her in an out-of-the-way shack inhabited by the mentally retarded daughter of one of Father Benito's assistants.

The New York Times

Here Skidelsky imparts a provocative twist to his narrative by emphasizing the rivalry "between Britain and America for postwar position which went on under the facade of the Grand Alliance".

The New York Times - Books

Under the facade of rooting out coup plotters, a colossal witch hunt has been authorized against President Erdoğan's opponents.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

RESTORATION work is under way on the facade of the town house at 16 East 84th Street, one of a neo-Georgian triplet of dwellings built in 1901 by the socially prominent King family.

The New York Times

City officials issued a stop-work order yesterday after concrete panels weighing about 22 tons fell from the facade of a hospital building under construction in Queens and injured three workers.

The New York Times

The facade of the Cathedral of Sts.

The Washington Post

It's all good for the facade of the country".

The New York Times

For the same reason the facade of the Assembly Bldg.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under the facade of" to clearly indicate that something is being deliberately concealed or misrepresented, adding a layer of intrigue or skepticism to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "under the facade of" when you simply mean something is on the surface. "Facade" implies a deliberate attempt to create a false impression, not just a superficial detail.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the facade of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It describes the manner in which an action is performed or a state exists, indicating that something is done or exists deceptively or with concealed intentions, as exemplified by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under the facade of" is a prepositional phrase used to express that something is happening with concealed intentions or under a deceptive appearance. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and provides examples in diverse contexts, mostly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure you're highlighting a deliberate attempt to create a false impression, rather than merely describing something superficial. Alternatives include "beneath the veneer of" and "behind the guise of". Be mindful of redundancy and use the phrase to add depth and intrigue to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beneath the veneer of

Focuses on a superficial layer that conceals something deeper.

behind the guise of

Emphasizes a deceptive appearance or pretense.

under the pretense of

Highlights a false claim or excuse used to mask true intentions.

cloaked in the semblance of

Suggests something is disguised or hidden by a superficial similarity.

masked by the appearance of

Focuses on how something's true nature is hidden behind a deceptive outward show.

disguised as

A more direct way of saying something is not what it seems.

concealed by the cloak of

Emphasizes secrecy and deliberate hiding.

veiled by a show of

Highlights how something is covered or obscured by an outward display.

ostensibly

Indicates that something is presented as being true, but may not be.

superficially

Draws attention to a surface-level impression that belies the underlying reality.

FAQs

How can I use "under the facade of" in a sentence?

Use "under the facade of" to indicate that someone or something is concealing their true nature or intentions. For example: "The company operated under the facade of environmental responsibility, while secretly polluting the river."

What are some alternatives to "under the facade of"?

You can use alternatives like "beneath the veneer of", "behind the guise of", or "under the pretense of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to say "hidden under the facade of"?

Yes, it's generally redundant. The word "facade" already implies something is being hidden or concealed, so "hidden" is unnecessary.

What's the difference between "under the facade of" and "superficially"?

"Under the facade of" implies a deliberate attempt to create a false impression, while "superficially" simply means something is on the surface or shallow, without necessarily implying deception.