went on feigning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "went on feigning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who continues to pretend or act in a certain way, often despite the truth or reality of the situation. Example: "Even after being confronted with the truth, she went on feigning innocence, hoping no one would notice her deception."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ghaith went on feigning incomprehension.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Or would you feign outrage, like Captain Renault's in "Casablanca": "I am shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!"Such are the emotions that Europe's leaders feel as their friends across the Mediterranean are toppled by long-suffering subjects.

The Economist

Although he feigns nonchalance at Drew's description of what went on in the tree house, when he's alone he reacts like a two-timed lover, tearing the cover off his cell phone.

The New Yorker

Feigning incredulity because someone would take umbrage with his caustic comment, Williams went on the defensive while thinking he was educating the city folk just a few miles from where the National Western Stock Show is held every year.

Huffington Post

"We just found out that when (Clinton) went on the 'Steve Harvey Show,' she had every single question given to her in writing in advance and then she feigned surprise as the questions were asked," Kelly said.

Huffington Post

In addition to cards, one parent feigned sign language to alert people present that something was different about her son, while another customised clothing: And a few years ago as well when we went on holiday, because I got sick of people sort of like I say looking at us and gawping and sort of pointing the finger you know.

Health and Place

They, of course, understand what's going on, and try to feign or adjust, though body language and facial expressions have a way of revealing the true state of things: not the decline itself but the disappointment and, sometimes, an angry disbelief that what once was is somehow no more.

The New Yorker

"They're really based on trickery, on feigning friendship or feigning flattery, things that people with mental health problems are more vulnerable to," she said.

The New York Times

"Some of this reminds me of the classic movie 'Casablanca' — 'My God, there's gambling going on here,' " Mr. Clapper said, twisting the line from the movie uttered by a corrupt French official who feigns outrage at the very activity in which he avidly partakes.

The New York Times

Abusers and others have also been able to obtain OxyContin by going around to doctors and feigning pain.

The New York Times

"What on God's green earth y'all are going to Sweetwater for?" I leaned on her counter, feigning cool and casual.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "went on feigning" to clearly convey the continuation of a deceptive act, particularly when emphasizing the persistence despite contradictory evidence. This phrase works well in narrative contexts where you want to highlight a character's stubborn refusal to acknowledge reality.

Common error

Avoid using "went on feigning" when the action is not actually a pretense but a genuine emotion or state. "Feigning" implies deception, so ensure the context supports this meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went on feigning" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically a gerund phrase, where "feigning" acts as a gerund following the verb "went on." As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe the continuation of pretending or simulating a feeling or condition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "went on feigning" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the continuation of an act of pretense. Though rare in occurrence, Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the provided examples from primarily news and media sources clarify its usage. Alternatives include "continued pretending" or "kept feigning", offering similar nuances. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates deception and that the persistence of the pretense is the intended focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued pretending

Replaces "went on" with "continued", offering a more straightforward synonym while maintaining the core meaning of sustained pretense.

kept feigning

Uses "kept" instead of "went on", providing a simpler alternative to express the continuation of the act of feigning.

persisted in feigning

Emphasizes the sustained and perhaps stubborn nature of the pretense, adding a nuance of determination.

carried on feigning

Uses "carried on" as a phrasal verb alternative to "went on", offering a slightly more colloquial tone while retaining the meaning.

proceeded to feign

Substitutes "went on" with "proceeded to", giving a more formal tone to the continuation of the pretense.

remained feigning

Replaces the dynamic "went on" with the stative "remained", shifting the focus to the ongoing state of pretense.

tenaciously feigned

Implies that the person held firmly to feigning, suggesting resoluteness and determination in keeping up the pretense.

persevered in the pretense

Highlights the effort required to maintain the false appearance, emphasizing the dedication to the act.

sustained the facade

Shifts focus to the "facade" or appearance being maintained rather than the act of feigning itself.

maintained the charade

Similar to "sustained the facade", this phrase highlights the artificiality and deceptiveness of the ongoing act.

FAQs

How can I use "went on feigning" in a sentence?

Use "went on feigning" to describe someone who continued to pretend about something, even when the truth was apparent. For instance, "Even after being caught, he "went on feigning" ignorance."

What's a good alternative to "went on feigning"?

Alternatives to "went on feigning" include "continued pretending", "kept feigning", or "persisted in "feigning"", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "went on feigning" formal or informal?

"Went on feigning" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it may be more common in narrative or descriptive writing.

When should I use "went on feigning" instead of "continued to feign"?

While both are similar, "went on feigning" might be preferred when you want to emphasize the duration or persistence of the act, whereas "continued to "feign"" is a more direct and general statement of continued pretense.