under the pretense

USAGE SUMMARY

"under the pretense" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe an action that is done with an intention of deceiving someone. Example: She acted friendly towards the supervisor under the pretense of getting a promotion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's self-promotion under the pretense of hiding.

The New York Times - Books

Under the pretense of closeness, they expanded the distance between us.

The New York Times

For years, hotels "practically shut down under the pretense of cleaning the carpets," Mr. Newton said.

The New York Times - Travel

On March 19 , 2002 Brian Bartholomew entered the home of Afton Callahan under the pretense of wanting to purchase methamphetamine.

Cornell University

Finally, Subject A sat down directly next to Subject B, under the pretense of "seeing what color his eyes were".

The New Yorker

He said Justin Robinson had lured the girl into the house under the pretense of trading bicycle parts.

The New York Times

— Karl Eugene Chamberlain went to his neighbor's apartment that night in Dallas under the pretense of borrowing sugar.

The New York Times

Survivors have said the attacker approached them under the pretense of needing directions or help with a broken-down vehicle.

The New York Times

In 2008 he finally tracked Mr. Baker down and phoned him under the pretense of profiling him for Rolling Stone.

The New York Times

Under the pretense of Senate etiquette, Republican leaders refused to consider Obama's nominees during the last year of his presidency.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Under the pretense of making America great again, the transgressive leader enacts the rebellion that will tear down the nation.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under the pretense" to clearly indicate that someone is acting deceptively or with a hidden motive. This phrase adds a layer of critical awareness to your writing, alerting readers to potential manipulation or misrepresentation.

Common error

Avoid using "under the pretense" when you simply mean 'under the assumption' or 'believing something to be true'. "Pretense" implies a deliberate act of deception, so ensure your context reflects this intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the pretense" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb to describe the deceptive manner in which an action is carried out. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in highlighting the concealed motives behind actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under the pretense" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to expose hidden motives and deceptive intentions. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and its prevalent use in formal and neutral registers, especially in News & Media and Academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates an act of deception rather than a simple assumption. Remember to consider related phrases such as "under the guise of" or "on the pretext of" for subtle variations in meaning and style. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "under the pretense" to add depth and critical awareness to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under the guise of

Implies a deceptive outward appearance or pretense used to conceal the true nature of something.

on the pretext of

Highlights the excuse or justification offered to mask the real reason for an action.

with the excuse of

Focuses on the reason given to hide the actual motive.

posing as

Implies a deceptive presentation of oneself or something else to create a false impression.

under false colors

Emphasizes the deceptive appearance or guise used to conceal the true nature of something.

masquerading as

Suggests a deliberate act of disguise to deceive others about one's true identity or purpose.

feigning

Highlights the act of pretending or imitating something to deceive others.

cloaked in

Emphasizes the act of concealing something, often with a layer of deception or misdirection.

simulating

Suggests the creation of a false appearance or imitation to mislead or deceive.

ostensibly

Indicates that something is presented as being true, but the actual truth may be different.

FAQs

How can I use "under the pretense" in a sentence?

Use "under the pretense" to indicate that someone is doing something with a hidden motive or deceptive intention. For instance, "He visited her "under the pretense of" offering help, but really he wanted information."

What's the difference between "under the pretense of" and "with the intention of"?

"Under the pretense of" implies deception, suggesting that the stated reason is not the real one. "With the intention of" simply states the goal without implying deception. The former is used when someone is being dishonest about their motives, while the latter is neutral.

Which is correct, "under the pretense" or "on the pretense"?

"Under the pretense" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "On the pretense" is less frequent and can sound awkward to native English speakers.

What can I say instead of "under the pretense of"?

You can use alternatives like "on the pretext of", "under the guise of", or "posing as" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.