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B2 verb #34 am häufigsten 7 Min. Lesezeit

feigns

Top 34

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Erklärung feigns in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'feigns' is too difficult. Instead, we use very simple words like 'acts like' or 'pretends'. For example, 'He acts like he is sick.' This means he is not really sick, but he wants people to think he is. We use these simple phrases to talk about basic things like playing or lying. A1 learners should focus on the idea that someone is saying something that is not true about how they feel. For example, 'She says she is happy, but she is sad.' This is the basic idea of feigning. You are showing one thing on the outside, but the inside is different. It is like wearing a mask. Children often do this when they play games. They pretend to be a doctor or a pilot. But 'feigns' is usually for adults who are trying to trick someone. So, at A1, just remember: 'He pretends to be...' is the easy way to say it.

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At the A2 level, you can start to use the word 'pretends' more often. 'Feigns' is still a bit advanced, but you are learning that people can hide their feelings. You might say, 'He pretends to be tired so he can go home.' This is exactly what 'feigns' means. In A2, we talk about social situations. Sometimes we are not honest because we want to be polite. For example, 'She pretends to like the gift.' This is a very common thing people do. 'Feigns' is just a more formal way to say this. If you see 'feigns' in a book, you can think of it as 'pretends for a reason'. It is usually followed by a feeling or a problem, like 'illness' or 'sadness'. At this level, focus on the 's' at the end of 'feigns'. It is for 'he', 'she', or 'it'. Example: 'The boy feigns a stomachache.' This means the boy is acting like his stomach hurts, but it does not.

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At the B1 level, you are becoming more comfortable with formal vocabulary. 'Feigns' is a word you might see in news articles or stories. It is used when someone is being a bit sneaky. For example, 'The politician feigns interest in the local problems.' This means the politician is acting like they care, but they probably don't. B1 learners should notice that 'feigns' is often used with emotions. You can feign surprise, feign anger, or feign joy. It is a useful word because it sounds more professional than 'fakes'. When you write a story, using 'feigns' makes your writing sound better. It shows that you understand that people have complicated motives. You are not just saying someone is lying; you are saying they are performing a role. Remember the spelling: F-E-I-G-N-S. The 'g' is silent, so it sounds like 'fanes'. Practice using it in sentences about people's reactions to things.

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At the B2 level, 'feigns' is a key vocabulary word. You should be able to use it to describe nuanced social behaviors. It implies a deliberate act of deception, often to avoid a responsibility or to gain an advantage. For example, 'He feigns ignorance of the new policy to avoid the extra work.' This shows a strategic use of pretending. At this level, you should also know common collocations like 'feigns illness' or 'feigns indifference'. You understand that 'feigns' is more specific than 'pretends'. While 'pretends' can be used for children playing, 'feigns' almost always suggests a 'poker face' or a calculated lie. It is a transitive verb, so it always needs an object. You can use it in academic writing or formal discussions about psychology and behavior. It is also common in literature to describe a character's internal conflict versus their external appearance. Using 'feigns' correctly shows a high level of English proficiency and an understanding of social subtleties.

At the C1 level, you should appreciate the literary and psychological depth of the word 'feigns'. It is often used to describe the 'performance' of self in social theory. For instance, 'The protagonist feigns a sense of belonging in a society she actually despises.' This usage highlights the gap between public persona and private reality. C1 learners should be able to distinguish 'feigns' from its more obscure synonyms like 'dissembles' or 'simulates'. 'Dissembles' is even more focused on hiding the truth, while 'feigns' is about presenting a false truth. You might also see it in legal contexts, such as 'feigning a disability' for insurance fraud. At this level, you can use the word to analyze complex characters in literature or film. It is a word that describes the 'art of the lie'. You should also be aware of the noun form 'feint', which is a deceptive move in sports or combat, and how it relates to the verb 'feign'. Your usage should be precise and contextually appropriate, reflecting an understanding of the word's formal register.

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At the C2 level, 'feigns' is a tool for precise and evocative expression. You can use it to explore philosophical themes of authenticity and artifice. For example, 'The diplomat's entire career is built on the skill with which he feigns neutrality in the face of extreme conflict.' This level of usage shows a mastery of tone and implication. You might encounter 'feigns' in dense academic texts, high-level political analysis, or classic literature (like Shakespeare or Austen). You should understand its etymological roots in the Latin 'fingere', meaning to shape or fashion, which connects it to the word 'fiction'. This deep understanding allows you to use 'feigns' not just as a synonym for 'fakes', but as a commentary on the constructed nature of human behavior. You can use it to describe the subtle 'performative' aspects of everyday life, where individuals feign various states to navigate power structures or social hierarchies. At C2, your command of the word should be effortless, allowing you to weave it into complex arguments or creative narratives with total accuracy and stylistic flair.

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Feigns means to pretend to have a feeling, injury, or state of mind that isn't real.
It is the third-person singular form of the verb 'feign', used with 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Commonly used for 'feigning illness', 'feigning surprise', or 'feigning interest' to deceive others.
It is a formal word often found in literature, news, and professional reports.

The word feigns is a sophisticated verb used to describe the act of pretending to feel, be, or experience something that is not actually true. At its core, it involves a deliberate performance designed to mislead others. When someone feigns an emotion, they are putting on a mask, often for a specific social or personal reason. This word is most frequently used in contexts where a person wants to avoid a duty, escape an awkward situation, or gain sympathy. For example, a student might feign illness to stay home from school, or a person might feign surprise at a party even if they already knew about the celebration.

Social Utility: People use this word to describe the 'social lubricant' of white lies or the more serious deceptions found in legal or medical settings. It captures the nuance of 'acting' rather than just 'lying'.

Even though he had heard the news hours ago, he feigns total shock when his sister tells him the secret.

Psychological Aspect: In psychology, when a patient feigns symptoms, it is often referred to as malingering. This highlights the word's connection to deceptive behavior for secondary gain.

She feigns sleep whenever her roommate tries to start a long conversation late at night.

The athlete feigns an injury to stop the clock during the final minutes of the game.

Literary Usage: Authors often use this word to describe characters who are hiding their true intentions, adding a layer of mystery or suspense to the narrative.

The spy feigns a thick accent to blend in with the local crowd.

He feigns ignorance of the rules to avoid getting a ticket from the officer.

This word is essential for describing the complexities of human interaction where what is seen is not always what is felt. It is a B2 level word because it requires an understanding of intent and social performance.

Using feigns correctly requires attention to the subject and the object of the sentence. Since it is the third-person singular present form, it must follow subjects like 'he', 'she', 'it', or a singular noun (e.g., 'the doctor', 'Sarah'). The object is typically an abstract noun representing a feeling, a state of being, or a physical condition. Common objects include 'interest', 'illness', 'surprise', 'sleep', 'ignorance', and 'indifference'.

Transitive Nature: 'Feigns' is a transitive verb, meaning it needs a direct object to complete its meaning. You cannot simply say 'He feigns.' You must say what he is feigning.

The cat feigns indifference when its owner comes home, but it is actually very happy.

Sentence Structure: [Subject] + feigns + [Noun Phrase]. For example: 'The politician feigns concern for the environment.'

She feigns a headache to leave the boring meeting early.

The suspect feigns a lack of memory regarding the night of the crime.

Common Collocations: Feigns interest, feigns surprise, feigns illness, feigns sleep, feigns death (often used for animals like the opossum).

The opossum feigns death to protect itself from predators.

The actor feigns a limp so convincingly that the audience believes he is actually hurt.

By mastering these patterns, you can use 'feigns' to add precision and color to your descriptions of human behavior and social dynamics.

You are likely to encounter feigns in various high-level contexts. In literature, it is a favorite of authors who want to show, rather than just tell, that a character is being dishonest. It appears in classic novels, modern thrillers, and theatrical scripts. In journalism, reporters use it to describe politicians or public figures who appear to be showing an emotion that the reporter suspects is insincere. For instance, 'The candidate feigns empathy for the working class.'

Legal and Medical Contexts: In courtrooms or medical reports, 'feigns' is used to describe someone who is faking a condition for legal or financial gain. A lawyer might argue that a witness 'feigns confusion' during cross-examination.

The documentary explores how the con artist feigns wealth to trick investors.

Sports Commentary: Commentators often use it when a player tries to trick an opponent. 'The striker feigns a shot to the left before passing to the right.'

In the movie, the protagonist feigns madness to avoid being sent to prison.

The article notes that the CEO feigns optimism despite the company's failing stock prices.

Nature Documentaries: Narrators use it to describe animal camouflage or deceptive behaviors used for hunting or survival.

The bird feigns a broken wing to lead the predator away from its nest.

The student feigns a cough to cover up the fact that they are laughing in class.

Whether you are reading a high-brow magazine or watching a complex drama, 'feigns' is a word that helps you identify the hidden motives behind a character's actions.

One of the most common mistakes with feigns is confusing it with words that sound similar but have very different meanings. For example, 'fain' (meaning gladly) or 'fawn' (meaning to show exaggerated affection). Another frequent error is using it as a noun. While 'feint' can be a noun (a deceptive move), 'feigns' is strictly a verb form.

Subject-Verb Agreement: Remember that 'feigns' is only for singular third-person subjects. Many learners accidentally use it for 'I' or 'they'. Incorrect: 'They feigns interest.' Correct: 'They feign interest.'

He feigns (not 'fains') a smile to hide his disappointment.

Misusing the Object: Ensure the object is something that can be simulated. You can feign an attitude, but you cannot feign a physical object like a car.

She feigns enthusiasm for the project, though she secretly hates it.

The player feigns a fall to get a penalty, which is often called 'diving' in soccer.

Contextual Appropriateness: Using 'feigns' for very simple, honest mistakes is usually incorrect. It implies a level of intent and deception.

The child feigns a stomachache because he hasn't finished his homework.

He feigns a lack of interest in the job to negotiate a higher salary.

By avoiding these pitfalls, you will use 'feigns' with the precision of a native speaker.

While feigns is a great word, there are several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific type of pretending you want to describe. 'Pretends' is the most common and versatile synonym, but it lacks the specific 'deceptive' edge that 'feigns' often carries. 'Simulates' is more technical and is often used in scientific or training contexts.

Feigns vs. Pretends: 'Pretends' can be innocent (like children playing), but 'feigns' almost always implies a trick or a lie for a reason.

He feigns sleep to avoid the chores, whereas a child 'pretends' to be a superhero for fun.

Advanced Alternatives: 'Dissembles' is a very formal word meaning to hide one's true motives or feelings. 'Affects' can mean to put on a false appearance or quality (e.g., 'He affects a British accent').

She feigns ignorance, but her colleague 'dissembles' his entire plan for the takeover.

The computer program simulates (rather than feigns) the conditions of a flight.

Comparison Table: Feigns (Formal/Deceptive), Pretends (General/Neutral), Simulates (Technical/Scientific), Shams (Informal/Negative).

The diplomat feigns agreement to keep the peace during the negotiations.

He feigns a smile whenever his mother-in-law visits.

Choosing the right word depends on the 'flavor' of the pretending you want to convey. 'Feigns' is perfect for that mix of performance and deception.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'fiction' comes from the same Latin root 'fingere'. Both words are about 'making things up' or 'shaping' a story that isn't real.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /feɪnz/

US /feɪnz/

Single syllable word; the stress is on the entire word.

Reimt sich auf

rains planes trains pains brains stains grains chains

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'g' as in 'feign-gs'.
Confusing it with 'fines'.
Confusing it with 'fans'.
Confusing it with 'faints'.
Misspelling it as 'fanes'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 4/5

Common in literature and news, but the silent 'g' can be tricky.

Schreiben 5/5

Requires knowledge of 3rd person singular and correct object choice.

Sprechen 5/5

Used less in casual speech, more in formal or precise descriptions.

Hören 4/5

Sounds like 'fanes', which can be confused with other words.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

pretend fake lie act show

Als Nächstes lernen

dissemble simulate affect malinger artifice

Fortgeschritten

dissimulation prevaricate equivocate duplicity guile

Wichtige Grammatik

Third-person singular 's'

He feigns (not feign).

Transitive verbs

He feigns [something].

Silent letters

The 'g' in feign is silent.

Abstract nouns as objects

Feigns interest, feigns joy.

Infinitive of purpose

He feigns illness to stay home.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

He feigns being sick.

Il fait semblant d'être malade.

Simple present with 'he'.

She feigns a smile.

Elle feint un sourire.

Subject-verb-object structure.

The cat feigns sleep.

Le chat fait semblant de dormir.

Third-person singular 's'.

He feigns surprise.

Il feint la surprise.

Abstract noun as object.

She feigns interest.

Elle feint l'intérêt.

Feigns + noun.

The dog feigns a limp.

Le chien fait semblant de boiter.

Action as a noun phrase.

He feigns a cough.

Il feint une toux.

Singular object.

She feigns joy.

Elle feint la joie.

Emotion as object.

He feigns illness to stay home.

Il feint la maladie pour rester à la maison.

Infinitive of purpose 'to stay'.

She feigns a headache at the party.

Elle feint un mal de tête à la fête.

Prepositional phrase 'at the party'.

The actor feigns a fall.

L'acteur feint une chute.

Noun 'fall' as object.

He feigns ignorance of the broken vase.

Il feint l'ignorance du vase cassé.

Feigns + noun + of + noun.

She feigns sleep when her mom enters.

Elle fait semblant de dormir quand sa mère entre.

Time clause with 'when'.

The bird feigns a broken wing.

L'oiseau feint une aile cassée.

Adjective-noun object.

He feigns excitement for the trip.

Il feint l'excitation pour le voyage.

Preposition 'for'.

She feigns a laugh at his joke.

Elle feint un rire à sa blague.

Feigns + noun phrase.

The student feigns interest in the lecture.

L'étudiant feint de l'intérêt pour le cours.

Present simple for habitual action.

He feigns a limp to get a seat on the bus.

Il feint de boiter pour avoir une place dans le bus.

Purpose clause.

She feigns surprise when they shout 'Happy Birthday'.

Elle feint la surprise quand ils crient 'Joyeux Anniversaire'.

Temporal 'when' clause.

The politician feigns concern for the poor.

Le politicien feint de l'intérêt pour les pauvres.

Abstract noun object.

He feigns a lack of knowledge about the theft.

Il feint un manque de connaissances sur le vol.

Complex noun phrase object.

She feigns a busy schedule to avoid the meeting.

Elle feint un emploi du temps chargé pour éviter la réunion.

Adjective + noun object.

The child feigns a stomachache to avoid vegetables.

L'enfant feint un mal de ventre pour éviter les légumes.

Transitive verb usage.

He feigns a calm attitude despite his nerves.

Il feint une attitude calme malgré ses nerfs.

Concession with 'despite'.

The diplomat feigns agreement to avoid a conflict.

Le diplomate feint l'accord pour éviter un conflit.

Professional context usage.

She feigns indifference to her ex-boyfriend's news.

Elle feint l'indifférence aux nouvelles de son ex-petit ami.

Nuanced emotion.

The athlete feigns an injury to stop the clock.

L'athlète feint une blessure pour arrêter le chronomètre.

Strategic context.

He feigns a thick accent to hide his identity.

Il feint un accent prononcé pour cacher son identité.

Deliberate deception.

The suspect feigns confusion during the interrogation.

Le suspect feint la confusion pendant l'interrogatoire.

Legal context.

She feigns a sense of duty while secretly planning to quit.

Elle feint un sens du devoir tout en prévoyant secrètement de démissionner.

Contrast with 'while'.

He feigns a smile to maintain social harmony.

Il feint un sourire pour maintenir l'harmonie sociale.

Social nuance.

The company feigns environmental concern for marketing.

L'entreprise feint une préoccupation environnementale pour le marketing.

Corporate context.

The protagonist feigns madness to expose the truth.

Le protagoniste feint la folie pour exposer la vérité.

Literary trope (Hamlet-style).

She feigns a lack of ambition to disarm her rivals.

Elle feint un manque d'ambition pour désarmer ses rivaux.

Strategic manipulation.

He feigns a religious devotion he does not possess.

Il feint une dévotion religieuse qu'il ne possède pas.

Relative clause 'he does not possess'.

The author feigns objectivity throughout the biography.

L'auteur feint l'objectivité tout au long de la biographie.

Academic/Literary context.

She feigns a sophisticated air to impress the elite.

Elle feint un air sophistiqué pour impressionner l'élite.

Social performance.

He feigns a regretful tone during his public apology.

Il feint un ton regrettable lors de ses excuses publiques.

Nuance of 'tone'.

The spy feigns a friendship with the target.

L'espion feint une amitié avec la cible.

Relationship as object.

She feigns a state of shock to buy herself some time.

Elle feint un état de choc pour gagner du temps.

Idiomatic 'buy time'.

The philosopher argues that everyone feigns authenticity.

Le philosophe soutient que tout le monde feint l'authenticité.

Abstract philosophical usage.

He feigns a stoic demeanor in the face of tragedy.

Il feint un comportement stoïque face à la tragédie.

Advanced vocabulary 'stoic demeanor'.

She feigns a meticulous nature to hide her internal chaos.

Elle feint une nature méticuleuse pour cacher son chaos interne.

Psychological complexity.

The regime feigns a commitment to democratic values.

Le régime feint un engagement envers les valeurs démocratiques.

Political analysis.

He feigns a scholarly interest in the occult.

Il feint un intérêt érudit pour l'occulte.

Specific academic register.

She feigns a whimsical personality to mask her cynicism.

Elle feint une personnalité fantaisiste pour masquer son cynisme.

Personality traits as objects.

The character feigns a slow descent into insanity.

Le personnage feint une lente descente dans la folie.

Narrative structure.

He feigns a profound insight during the debate.

Il feint une vision profonde pendant le débat.

Intellectual deception.

Häufige Kollokationen

feigns illness

feigns surprise

feigns interest

feigns ignorance

feigns sleep

feigns death

feigns indifference

feigns a limp

feigns enthusiasm

feigns shock

Häufige Phrasen

feigns a headache

— Pretending to have pain to leave a situation.

She feigns a headache to go home early.

feigns a smile

— Putting on a fake happy face.

He feigns a smile despite the bad news.

feigns a lack of...

— Pretending not to have something (like knowledge).

He feigns a lack of concern.

feigns an accent

— Pretending to speak like someone from another place.

The actor feigns a French accent.

feigns a cough

— Making a fake coughing sound to hide something.

He feigns a cough to cover his laugh.

feigns a busy air

— Acting like one is very occupied.

She feigns a busy air in the office.

feigns a friendship

— Pretending to be someone's friend.

He feigns a friendship for personal gain.

feigns a limp

— Pretending to be injured while walking.

The player feigns a limp after the foul.

feigns a religious air

— Acting more religious than one actually is.

He feigns a religious air in front of his family.

feigns a sense of duty

— Acting like one cares about their responsibilities.

She feigns a sense of duty to her boss.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

feigns vs fain

Fain means 'gladly' or 'willingly'. It is an archaic word.

feigns vs faint

Faint means to lose consciousness or is an adjective meaning weak.

feigns vs fawn

Fawn means to show exaggerated affection to gain favor.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"play possum"

— To feign death or sleep to avoid a threat.

He played possum when the teacher looked for a volunteer.

informal

"crocodile tears"

— To feign sadness or regret that is not real.

She shed crocodile tears after getting him in trouble.

neutral

"put on a front"

— To feign a specific personality or attitude.

He puts on a front of being tough.

informal

"keep a straight face"

— To feign seriousness when one wants to laugh.

It was hard to keep a straight face during the speech.

neutral

"wolf in sheep's clothing"

— Someone who feigns kindness to hide their danger.

The new manager is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

neutral

"poker face"

— To feign a lack of emotion to hide one's thoughts.

He kept a poker face during the negotiation.

neutral

"act the part"

— To feign a role or status convincingly.

He really acts the part of a successful CEO.

neutral

"sail under false colors"

— To feign a different identity or set of beliefs.

The politician was sailing under false colors.

literary

"make a show of"

— To feign something publicly to impress others.

He made a show of helping the poor.

neutral

"laugh on the other side of one's face"

— To feign joy before a sudden change in fortune.

He'll be laughing on the other side of his face soon.

informal

Leicht verwechselbar

feigns vs faint

Similar sound.

Faint is about losing consciousness; feign is about pretending.

He faints from the heat vs. He feigns a faint to get attention.

feigns vs fain

Identical sound (homophone).

Fain is an old word for 'happy to'; feign is a verb for 'pretend'.

I would fain go with you vs. He feigns a smile.

feigns vs feint

Same root and sound.

Feint is usually a noun or a specific move in sports; feign is the general verb.

The boxer made a feint to the left vs. He feigns a punch.

feigns vs fawn

Similar sound.

Fawn is about being overly nice; feign is about being deceptive.

He fawns over the boss vs. He feigns interest in the boss's story.

feigns vs fine

Vaguely similar sound.

Fine is about quality or a penalty; feign is about pretending.

The weather is fine vs. He feigns a smile.

Satzmuster

He feigns [noun].

He feigns sleep.

She feigns [noun] to [verb].

She feigns illness to stay home.

The [noun] feigns [noun] in [context].

The student feigns interest in the class.

He feigns [noun] despite [noun].

He feigns a smile despite his sadness.

She feigns [noun] so as to [verb].

She feigns ignorance so as to avoid blame.

The [noun] feigns a [adjective] [noun].

The diplomat feigns a stoic indifference.

It feigns [noun] when [clause].

The bird feigns death when it is scared.

Subject feigns [noun], thereby [verb-ing].

He feigns a limp, thereby gaining sympathy.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

feint (a deceptive move)

feigning (the act of pretending)

Verben

feign (base form)

feigned (past tense)

feigning (present participle)

Adjektive

feigned (e.g., feigned surprise)

Verwandt

fiction

figure

figment

effigy

configuration

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in written English, less common in spoken English.

Häufige Fehler

He feign interest. → He feigns interest.
Missing the 's' for third-person singular.
They feigns surprise. → They feign surprise.
Using the singular form for a plural subject.
He feigns a car. → He feigns owning a car.
You can't feign a physical object; you feign a state or condition.
He fains illness. → He feigns illness.
Incorrect spelling; 'fain' is a different word.
He feigns to be sick. → He feigns illness.
While 'feigns to be' is sometimes used, 'feigns [noun]' is much more common and natural.

Tipps

Choose the right object

Always pair 'feigns' with an abstract noun like 'interest' or 'illness' for the most natural sound.

The Silent G

Remember the 'g' is there but never spoken. Think of 'design' or 'sign' to help you remember.

Subject Check

Only use 'feigns' when the subject is one person or thing (excluding 'I' and 'you').

Upgrade from 'fakes'

In essays or formal reports, use 'feigns' instead of 'fakes' to sound more academic.

Social Context

Use 'feigns' when describing someone who is putting on a 'social mask'.

Rhyme Time

If you can say 'rains', you can say 'feigns'. It's that simple.

Nuance

Remember that 'feigns' is more about the 'act' than just the 'lie'.

Character Building

Use 'feigns' to show a character's hidden motives in your stories.

News Watch

Listen for this word when reporters talk about politicians' reactions.

Daily Use

Try to spot someone 'feigning' something today and describe it in your head using the word.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'feigned' smile as a 'fake' smile. Both start with 'F'.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a theater mask. One side is real, the other side is what the person 'feigns'.

Word Web

pretend fake deceive mask simulate sham dissemble act

Herausforderung

Try to use 'feigns' in a sentence about a cat pretending not to care about its food.

Wortherkunft

From the Old French word 'feindre', which comes from the Latin 'fingere'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To shape, fashion, or form. It originally meant to mold something out of clay.

Indo-European (Latin -> Romance -> English).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'feigns' to describe someone's mental health or physical pain, as it implies they are lying.

Feigning illness to skip work is often called 'pulling a sickie' in the UK and Australia.

Hamlet (who feigns madness) The Opossum (which feigns death) Professional soccer players (who feign injuries)

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Social Situations

feigns interest
feigns surprise
feigns a smile
feigns politeness

Medical/Work

feigns illness
feigns a headache
feigns an injury
feigns exhaustion

Legal/Crime

feigns ignorance
feigns confusion
feigns innocence
feigns memory loss

Nature/Animals

feigns death
feigns a broken wing
feigns sleep
feigns aggression

Sports

feigns a shot
feigns a pass
feigns a fall
feigns a move

Gesprächseinstiege

"Have you ever known someone who feigns illness to avoid a meeting?"

"Why do you think a politician feigns concern for certain issues?"

"Is it ever okay to feign interest in a conversation to be polite?"

"How can you tell when someone feigns a smile versus a real one?"

"Have you ever seen an animal that feigns death to protect itself?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe a time when you had to feign an emotion to get through a difficult social situation.

Write about a character in a book who feigns a specific identity to achieve their goals.

Reflect on the ethics of feigning interest in things you don't care about to maintain friendships.

How does a person's body language change when they feign surprise?

Discuss the difference between 'acting' in a play and 'feigning' in real life.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It is common in books, news, and formal writing, but people usually say 'pretends' in daily conversation.

You don't! The 'g' is silent. It sounds exactly like 'fanes' or 'rains'.

No, you feign states, feelings, or conditions. You can't 'feign a car', but you can 'feign owning a car'.

Feign is more formal and usually implies a deliberate, often sneaky, deception. Pretend is more general and can be innocent.

No, it can be used for animals too, like an opossum that feigns death.

The noun form is 'feint' (a deceptive move) or 'feigning' (the act of pretending).

Yes, the past tense is 'feigned'. Example: 'He feigned surprise.'

Usually, yes, because it involves deception. However, it can be neutral in sports or social politeness.

No, for 'I' you must use 'feign'. 'I feign interest.' 'Feigns' is only for he/she/it.

Common things include illness, surprise, interest, ignorance, and sleep.

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