under the pretext of

USAGE SUMMARY

"under the pretext of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a way to refer to a false or insincere excuse or reason given for an action or intention. For example, "He tried to enter the house, under the pretext of needing help".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For decades, we decided to ignore the threats of mass immigration, especially when it happened under the pretext of asylum seekers.

Vice

Under the pretext of preserving its national agricultural patrimony, it has forbidden the sale of palm fronds to Israel.

The New York Times

A coup might be a military one, under the pretext of stopping violence escalating in Bangkok.

The Economist

The main charge was that practitioners indulged in sexual debauchery under the pretext of spirituality.

The New York Times - Health

After a moment, he slipped off again, under the pretext of putting the children to bed.

The New Yorker

"Now it is Libya's turn, under the pretext of protecting civilians.

The New Yorker

"Financial aid for this group was usually provided from London under the pretext of charitable donations.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a must, and can be done under the pretext of sorting fridge space.

The Guardian

In the 1970s, tens of thousands of Shias were expelled to Iran under the pretext of their "Persian origins".

Independent

By Burton-on-Trent, I'd have broken and sloped off to another carriage under the pretext of a toilet break.

Independent

There he was sent to prison for no reason but under the pretext of crossing the borders illegally.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under the pretext of" when you want to express skepticism or doubt about the stated reason for an action.

Common error

Avoid using "under the pretext of" when there is no element of deception or hidden motive. Using it inappropriately can confuse the reader and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the pretext of" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the circumstances or conditions under which an action is performed. It introduces a deceptive or insincere justification for an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under the pretext of" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that signals a deceptive or insincere justification for an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and widely employed across various sources, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that the element of deception is clear and that the context supports the implication of hidden motives. Alternatives like "under the guise of" or "on the pretext of" can provide similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the pretext of

Changes the preposition from "under" to "on", with minimal change in meaning.

under the guise of

Replaces "pretext" with "guise", suggesting a deceptive appearance or outward show.

under the pretense of

Substitutes "pretext" with "pretense", highlighting the insincerity of the stated reason.

under the cover of

Uses "cover" instead of "pretext", implying secrecy or concealment of the real reason.

cloaked in the guise of

Emphasizes the deceptive nature by using "cloaked", indicating something hidden or disguised.

with the excuse of

Employs "excuse" instead of "pretext", focusing on a justification offered for an action.

masked by the excuse of

Highlights the concealment of the real reason using "masked".

ostensibly for

Employs "ostensibly", signaling that the given reason is presented as true but is potentially not.

using the alibi of

Replaces "pretext" with "alibi", suggesting a fabricated story to avoid blame.

purportedly for the purpose of

Uses "purportedly" to indicate that the stated purpose is doubtful or questionable.

FAQs

What does "under the pretext of" mean?

It means doing something using a false or insincere reason or excuse.

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

You can use it to describe situations where someone's stated reason for doing something is not their real reason. For example: "He visited her "under the pretext of" needing help, but really he wanted to see her."

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

Some alternatives include "under the guise of", "under the cover of", or "ostensibly for".

Is there a difference between "under the pretense of" and "under the pretext of"?

While similar, "pretense" often implies a more elaborate and sustained deception, while "pretext" suggests a simpler, more immediate excuse. Both "under the pretext of" and "under the pretense of" indicate insincerity.