under the pretext that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under the pretext that" is correct and is an idiomatic expression used in written English.
It is used to mean "with the excuse or alleged purpose that". For example, "The manager allowed John to leave work early under the pretext that he was ill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The country was attacked under the pretext that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction.

The New York Times

I was able to escape to Russia under the pretext that I was going to study.

The Guardian

Right To Buy was introduced in the 1980s under the pretext that it would make home ownership more widely available.

Independent

"We don't believe a child should be destroyed under the pretext that a woman might die," he said.

The Guardian

Officials said his family were summoned to the prison on Sunday night under the pretext that Qadri was feeling unwell.

The Guardian

Under the pretext that the Emperor intended to drive him from Rome, Gregory excommunicated Frederick for the second time on Palm Sunday, March 20 , 1239

Encyclopedia Britannica

Belgium is not seeking to rewrite parts of its constitution or to strip terrorist offenders of their citizenship under the pretext that this would consolidate its national security.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thus women's rights and LGBT rights are being postponed, again and again, under the pretext that, "now is not the right time".

The Guardian - Opinion

The international community has failed to supply anti-aircraft guns under the pretext that they will fall into the hands of the terrorists.

The Guardian

Using these laws, the authorities have effectively impoverished intellectual and political life by arresting dissidents under the pretext that they are endangering public peace.

The New York Times

Perhaps living under a third-world dictatorship makes me understand that no man should withhold another's freedom under the pretext that he is behaving irresponsibly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under the pretext that", ensure the sentence clearly indicates the deceptive or misleading nature of the stated reason. This strengthens the impact and clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "under the pretext that" when the reason is genuine. This phrase implies deception, so using it for sincere reasons weakens your statement and confuses the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the pretext that" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a subordinate clause. It indicates the stated reason for an action or event is not the real or genuine one, implying deception or a hidden motive. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is correct and idiomatic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under the pretext that" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express skepticism about a stated reason or motive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it implies deception or a hidden agenda. It's frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using "under the pretext that", ensure that the context clearly indicates a false or misleading reason to maintain the impact and clarity of your writing. Avoid using it when the reason is genuine to prevent confusion. Related phrases include "under the guise that" and "on the pretext of", offering alternative ways to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under the guise that

Emphasizes a deceptive appearance or false pretense.

under the pretense that

Highlights the falseness of the stated reason or justification.

on the pretext of

A more concise way of expressing the same idea, focusing on the false reason.

with the excuse that

Suggests a weak or inadequate justification for an action.

claiming that

Implies doubt or disbelief about the truthfulness of the statement.

alleging that

Formally states something as true without proof, often in a legal context.

purporting to

Suggests that something claims to be or do something, often falsely.

ostensibly

Indicates that something appears to be the case, but might not be.

professing to

Declares openly but with a possible hint of insincerity or exaggeration.

feigning that

Emphasizes the act of pretending or inventing a reason.

FAQs

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

Use "under the pretext that" to introduce a false or misleading reason given for an action. For example, "He borrowed the car "under the pretext that" he needed to visit his mother, but he actually went to a party."

What phrases are similar to "under the pretext that"?

Similar phrases include "under the guise that", "under the pretense that", and "on the pretext of". These alternatives also suggest a deceptive or ulterior motive.

Is it correct to use "under the pretext of" instead of "under the pretext that"?

While both are related, "under the pretext of" is followed by a noun or gerund, while "under the pretext that" is followed by a clause. For example, "He resigned "on the pretext of" ill health" versus "He resigned "under the pretext that" he was suffering from ill health."

What's the difference between "under the pretext that" and "because"?

"Because" indicates a genuine reason, while "under the pretext that" indicates a false or misleading reason. Using "because" suggests sincerity, whereas "under the pretext that" implies deception.