under the pretense of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under the pretense of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that is done with the intention of appearing to do something else. For example: "He visited her under the pretense of asking for help, but in reality he wanted to spend time with her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

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

If we venture into the universe under the pretense of being owners, we are likely to get a rude awakening.

The New York Times - Science

Sometimes she sent me over to check up on him under the pretense of bringing him medicine.

The New Yorker

Later that afternoon, Henry and Ann are at a shopping center and Henry stops into the store to see Connie, under the pretense of buying another dinosaur.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under the pretense of" to clearly indicate that an action's stated reason is not its true motive. This adds a layer of complexity and potential deception to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "under the pretense of" when the actor's motives are genuinely mixed or unclear. This phrase implies a deliberate attempt to conceal the real reason, not simply a secondary or less obvious purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the pretense of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the false or concealed purpose behind an action. It introduces a deceptive element, suggesting the stated reason is not the true motive. This is supported by the examples available on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under the pretense of" is a prepositional phrase used to denote that an action is performed with a concealed, often deceptive, motive. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and wikis. When writing, remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize a difference between the stated and the real reason behind a specific action. The phrase functions to introduce a deceptive element, suggesting the stated reason is not the true motive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the pretext of

Emphasizes the use of a false reason to justify an action.

under the guise of

Highlights the deceptive appearance or form assumed.

with the excuse of

Focuses on offering a reason to justify a behavior.

ostensibly for

Indicates a stated or apparent reason that may not be the real one.

purportedly to

Implies the intention is claimed but possibly untrue.

with a semblance of

Highlights the superficial appearance of something.

cloaked in

Suggests something is hidden or disguised by something else.

masquerading as

Suggests actively pretending to be something one is not.

faking

Indicates a simple deception.

feigning

Emphasizes pretending to have a feeling, state, or injury.

FAQs

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

Use "under the pretense of" to show that someone is doing something while falsely claiming to be doing something else. For example, "He visited her under the pretense of needing help with his taxes".

What's a similar phrase to "under the pretense of"?

Similar phrases include "under the guise of", "on the pretext of", or "with the excuse of".

Is "under the pretense of" formal or informal?

"Under the pretense of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, it's more commonly seen in writing than in casual conversation.

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

"Under the pretense of" implies deception, where someone is hiding their true intentions. "Under the assumption of" means acting based on a belief that something is true, without necessarily having proof. It doesn't imply deception.