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B1 verb #32 सबसे आम 9 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

pretend

शीर्ष 32

At the A1 level, 'pretend' is a word used to talk about playing. Children pretend to be animals like cats or dogs. It means to act like something else for fun. For example, 'I pretend I am a king.' It is a simple action of using your imagination to have a good time with friends. You can think of it as 'playing a game' where you are not yourself.

At the A2 level, you use 'pretend' to describe simple situations where someone is not being honest about their feelings or actions. You might say, 'He pretends to be happy,' or 'She pretends she is sleeping.' It is often followed by 'to' and a verb. It is a useful word for describing how people act in social situations when they want to hide something small.

At the B1 level, 'pretend' becomes more versatile. You understand that it can be used for imaginative play, social politeness, or minor deceptions. You should be comfortable using the patterns 'pretend to do something' and 'pretend that something is true.' You also start to see it in books and movies where characters pretend to be someone else to solve a mystery or escape a problem.

At the B2 level, you can use 'pretend' to discuss more complex psychological and social themes. You might talk about 'pretending' in the context of professional life, such as 'faking it until you make it.' You also recognize the nuance between 'pretending' (which involves an act) and 'lying' (which is just saying something false). You can use it in more sophisticated sentences with adverbs, like 'He convincingly pretended to be the owner of the company.'

At the C1 level, you explore the deeper implications of 'pretend.' You might use it to discuss societal expectations or literary themes of appearance versus reality. You are aware of the formal use of 'pretender' in historical contexts. You can use the word to describe subtle emotional states, such as 'pretending indifference' to gain an advantage in a negotiation. Your usage is precise and context-aware.

At the C2 level, 'pretend' is used with total mastery, often in philosophical or highly academic discussions about the nature of truth and performance. You might analyze how people 'pretend' to themselves (self-deception) or how entire systems 'pretend' to be functional. You understand all its idiomatic uses and can use it to create subtle irony or sarcasm in your writing and speech.

इसका अभ्यास करें उदाहरण नोट्स और सुझाव

pretend 30 सेकंड में

Pretend is a verb used to describe acting as if something is true when it is actually false, often for play or to hide feelings.
It is commonly followed by 'to' and an infinitive or a 'that' clause to explain the specific action or situation being faked.
The word is essential for discussing children's imagination, social interactions, acting, and the difference between appearance and reality in daily life.
While often used for innocent fun, it can also imply a level of deception or the hiding of one's true internal state from others.

The verb pretend is a fundamental building block of the English language, primarily used to describe the act of behaving as if something is true when, in reality, it is not. At its core, pretending involves a conscious or unconscious performance designed to create an alternative reality. This can range from the innocent and developmental play of children to the more complex social maneuvers adults use to navigate difficult emotions or professional environments. When you pretend, you are essentially 'putting on a show' for others or even for yourself. It is a word that bridges the gap between imagination and deception, though it is most frequently associated with the former in casual conversation. For instance, a child might pretend to be a superhero, which is a healthy part of cognitive development, while an adult might pretend to be interested in a boring conversation out of politeness.

Imaginative Play: This is the most common use among younger speakers. It involves creating a fantasy world where the person takes on a role, such as a doctor, a pilot, or a magical creature. In this context, pretending is synonymous with 'make-believe' and is viewed positively as a sign of creativity.

The toddlers spent the entire afternoon in the backyard where they would pretend to be explorers searching for hidden treasure in the tall grass.

Social Deception: In adult social contexts, pretending often refers to hiding one's true feelings or state of mind. This is frequently done to maintain social harmony or to protect one's privacy. For example, one might pretend to be happy at a party even if they are feeling sad inside.

Even though she was exhausted from the long flight, she had to pretend to be energetic during the important business meeting.

Academic and Formal Contexts: In more formal or literary settings, 'pretend' can describe a claim to a title or a status. While less common in daily speech, you might read about a 'pretender to the throne,' which refers to someone who claims they have the right to be king or queen, regardless of whether that claim is recognized by others.

He did not pretend to have all the answers, but he promised to work tirelessly to find the best solutions for the community.

Stop trying to pretend that you didn't eat the last piece of cake when there are crumbs all over your shirt!

The actor had to pretend to be crying, which required him to think about a very sad memory from his own childhood.

Using the word pretend correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical patterns. Most commonly, it is followed by an infinitive verb (to + verb) or a 'that' clause. These structures allow the speaker to specify exactly what false reality is being projected. For example, 'He pretended to sleep' uses the infinitive, while 'He pretended that he was sleeping' uses the clause. Both are equally valid, though the infinitive is often more concise and common in spoken English. It is also important to note that 'pretend' is an intransitive or transitive verb depending on the context, but it rarely takes a direct object that isn't a clause or an infinitive. You wouldn't usually say 'I pretended a car,' but rather 'I pretended to have a car' or 'I pretended that I owned a car.'

Pretend + To + Verb: This is the most direct way to describe an action being faked. It is used for immediate actions or states of being. 'She pretended to be sick to avoid the exam' is a classic example of this pattern in use.

If you see your ex-boyfriend at the mall, just pretend to be on your phone so you don't have to talk to him.

Pretend + That + Clause: This pattern is useful for more complex scenarios or when the subject of the pretended action is different from the person doing the pretending. 'They pretended that the accident never happened' describes a collective effort to ignore a past event.

Let's pretend that we are on a tropical island instead of in this cold, gray office building.

Pretend as an Adjective: While primarily a verb, 'pretend' can also function as an adjective meaning 'imaginary' or 'not real.' This is very common in the context of children's toys, such as 'pretend food' or 'pretend money.'

The little girl served her father a cup of pretend tea during their afternoon tea party in the playroom.

You cannot pretend to be an expert in a field that you have only studied for a single week.

He tried to pretend indifference, but his shaking hands gave away how nervous he actually was about the results.

The word pretend is ubiquitous in English-speaking environments, appearing in everything from playground chatter to high-stakes legal dramas. In everyday life, you will hear it most often in the context of social interactions. People use it to describe the 'masks' they wear in public. For instance, in a workplace, a manager might say, 'We can't just pretend the budget deficit doesn't exist,' highlighting a need for realism over avoidance. In the world of entertainment, 'pretending' is the very essence of acting. Actors are professional pretenders, and you will often hear them discuss their craft using this term, though they might prefer more technical words like 'characterization' or 'method acting' in formal interviews.

In Pop Culture: Music is filled with references to pretending. Songs often explore the theme of pretending to be okay after a breakup. A famous example is 'The Great Pretender' by The Platters (and later covered by Freddie Mercury), which describes the loneliness of someone who acts like they are doing fine while their heart is breaking.

The lyrics of the song suggest that he is just pretending to be happy to hide his true feelings of sorrow from the world.

In Parenting and Education: Teachers and parents use the word constantly when encouraging 'pretend play.' This is recognized as a vital stage in a child's development where they learn empathy by pretending to be someone else. You might hear a teacher say, 'Let's pretend we are all trees in the wind' during a creative movement exercise.

Don't pretend you didn't see the sign that clearly says 'No Parking' right in front of your car.

The documentary explores how some spies had to pretend to be ordinary citizens for decades while gathering intelligence.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with pretend is due to 'false friends' in other languages. For example, in French, the verb 'prétendre' often means 'to claim' or 'to assert,' without necessarily implying that the claim is false. In English, however, 'pretend' almost always carries the weight of a performance or a falsehood. If you say 'He pretends to be a doctor,' an English speaker will assume he is *not* a doctor. If you want to say he is making a claim that might be true, you should use 'claim' or 'assert.' Another common error involves the preposition choice; learners sometimes try to use 'pretend like' instead of 'pretend that' or 'pretend to.' While 'pretend like' is common in very informal American English, 'pretend that' is the standard and safer choice for learners.

Confusing Pretend with Intend: Because they sound similar, students often mix these up. Remember: 'Intend' is about your future plans (I intend to go), while 'Pretend' is about your current acting (I pretend to go).

Incorrect: I pretend to visit London next year. (Should be: I intend to visit London next year.)

Misusing the -ing Form: Learners often forget that 'pretending' usually requires a state of being. You are 'pretending to be' something, not just 'pretending something' in most cases. 'He is pretending a pilot' is incorrect; it must be 'He is pretending to be a pilot.'

You shouldn't pretend to understand the instructions if you are actually confused; it's better to ask for help.

Stop pretending that you are the boss when you have the same level of authority as the rest of us.

While pretend is a versatile word, English offers many synonyms that carry specific nuances. Choosing the right one can make your speech more precise. For example, 'feign' is a more formal synonym often used with emotions or physical states (e.g., 'to feign illness' or 'to feign surprise'). 'Fake' is much more informal and often implies a more deceptive or fraudulent intent, such as 'faking a signature.' 'Simulate' is frequently used in technical or scientific contexts, such as 'simulating a flight' or 'simulating a chemical reaction.' Understanding these differences helps you match your vocabulary to the appropriate register and situation.

Pretend vs. Feign: 'Pretend' is common and can be used for play or mild deception. 'Feign' is sophisticated and almost always used for faking a feeling or a condition to achieve a specific goal.

While the children pretend to be knights, the diplomat had to feign interest in the long, boring speech.

Pretend vs. Imagine: 'Imagine' happens entirely in the mind. 'Pretend' usually involves an outward action or behavior. You can imagine being rich while sitting still, but if you pretend to be rich, you might start buying expensive things you can't afford.

He didn't just pretend to be a hero; he actually risked his life to save the people trapped in the burning building.

It is exhausting to pretend that everything is fine when your world is falling apart around you.

How Formal Is It?

औपचारिक

तटस्थ

अनौपचारिक

Child friendly

बोलचाल

रोचक तथ्य

The original meaning of 'stretching before' led to the idea of putting up a 'screen' or 'mask' to hide the truth, which is how we got the modern meaning of acting or faking.

उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका

UK /prɪˈtend/

US /priˈtend/

Second syllable (pre-TEND)

तुकबंदी

bend lend mend send tend vend blend trend

आम गलतियाँ

Stressing the first syllable (PRE-tend)
Pronouncing the 'e' in 'pre' like the 'e' in 'pet'
Confusing the ending with 'tent'
Dropping the final 'd' sound
Adding an extra 's' at the end unnecessarily

कठिनाई स्तर

पठन 2/5

Commonly found in stories and news, easy to recognize.

लिखना 3/5

Requires correct use of 'to' or 'that' clauses.

बोलना 2/5

Very common in daily conversation, easy to pronounce.

श्रवण 2/5

Distinct sound, usually clear in context.

आगे क्या सीखें

पूर्वापेक्षाएँ

play act true false think

आगे सीखें

feign simulate deceive pretense pretentious

उन्नत

dissemble affectation charlatan pseudonym counterfeit

ज़रूरी व्याकरण

Infinitive after certain verbs

I pretend to know.

That-clauses as objects

She pretended that she was sick.

Omission of 'that' in informal speech

He pretended he was sleeping.

Stative vs Dynamic verbs

Pretend is usually dynamic as it involves an action.

Negative infinitives

He pretended not to see me.

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

I pretend to be a lion.

I act like a lion for fun.

Pretend + to + be

Let's pretend we are in space.

Let's imagine we are in space.

Let's + pretend

Do you pretend to be a teacher?

Do you act like a teacher when you play?

Question form

She pretends to sleep.

She acts like she is sleeping.

Third person -s

We pretend to fly.

We act like we are flying.

Present simple

They pretend to be cats.

They act like cats.

Plural subject

I like to pretend.

I like to play make-believe.

Infinitive after like

He doesn't pretend.

He is always real.

Negative form

He pretended to be sick yesterday.

He acted sick but he wasn't.

Past simple -ed

Don't pretend you are busy.

I know you are not busy.

Imperative negative

She pretended that she liked the gift.

She acted like she liked it.

Pretend + that clause

Are you pretending to listen to me?

Are you just acting like you listen?

Present continuous

They pretended to forget the meeting.

They acted like they forgot.

Pretend + to + infinitive

I can't pretend anymore.

I must be honest now.

Modal verb + pretend

We pretended to be lost.

We acted like we didn't know the way.

Past tense

She is just pretending.

She is not being serious.

Continuous form

He pretended to have read the book.

He acted like he read it, but he didn't.

Perfect infinitive

It's hard to pretend that everything is okay.

It is difficult to act like things are fine.

It is + adjective + to pretend

She pretended not to notice him.

She acted like she didn't see him.

Negative infinitive

Why do you pretend to be someone else?

Why do you act like a different person?

Wh- question

They were pretending to work when the boss walked in.

They acted like they were working.

Past continuous

I'll pretend I didn't hear that comment.

I will act like I didn't hear it.

Future simple

Stop pretending to be an expert.

You are not an expert, so stop acting like one.

Gerund after stop

He pretended to be interested in her hobby.

He acted like he cared about her hobby.

Pretend + to be + adjective

She managed to pretend that she was calm despite her fear.

She successfully acted calm.

Manage + to + pretend

He pretended to be unaware of the new regulations.

He acted like he didn't know the rules.

Pretend + to be + adjective

You can't pretend that this problem doesn't exist.

You must face the problem.

Modal + pretend + that clause

The spy pretended to be a local merchant for months.

He lived a double life as a merchant.

Sustained action

He pretended to agree with the proposal to avoid conflict.

He acted like he agreed for peace.

Purpose clause

She was only pretending to be asleep when I entered.

She was actually awake.

Adverb 'only' for emphasis

Don't pretend to have knowledge you don't possess.

Be honest about what you know.

Complex object

They pretended to be happy for us, but I saw their jealousy.

Their performance was not convincing.

Contrastive sentence

He pretended indifference to the outcome of the election.

He acted as if he didn't care about the result.

Pretend + noun (less common but formal)

The company pretended to comply with the environmental standards.

They acted like they followed the rules but didn't.

Institutional subject

She pretended to be unfazed by the harsh criticism.

She acted like the criticism didn't hurt her.

Pretend + to be + past participle

We can no longer pretend that the climate isn't changing.

We must accept the reality of climate change.

Negative modal + adverb

He pretended to have a deep understanding of quantum physics.

He feigned expertise in a complex subject.

Perfect infinitive for past state

The actor's ability to pretend is truly remarkable.

His skill at acting is great.

Pretend as a gerund/noun phrase

She pretended to be the rightful heir to the fortune.

She claimed a status that wasn't hers.

Formal/Legal context

They pretended to be allies while secretly planning a betrayal.

They acted like friends but were enemies.

Participial phrase for contrast

One must not pretend to a virtue one does not possess.

Don't claim to be good if you aren't.

Pretend to + noun (archaic/formal)

The narrative explores the protagonist's pretense of sanity.

The story looks at how he acts sane.

Noun form 'pretense'

He pretended to be a mere observer, yet he was the mastermind.

He acted like a witness but was the leader.

Nuanced contrast

To pretend otherwise would be an exercise in futility.

Acting differently would be useless.

Abstract subject

She pretended to be moved by his speech, though she felt nothing.

She feigned emotional impact.

Passive infinitive

The regime pretended to democratic ideals while suppressing dissent.

They claimed to be democratic but weren't.

Pretend to + noun phrase

He pretended to a level of sophistication that was clearly artificial.

His acted elegance was fake.

Formal claim usage

We often pretend to ourselves that our motives are entirely pure.

We lie to ourselves about our reasons.

Reflexive use

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

pretend to be

pretend that

just pretending

pretend indifference

pretend interest

pretend ignorance

pretend to sleep

pretend to notice

pretend play

pretend money

सामान्य वाक्यांश

Pretend you didn't see it

Can't pretend otherwise

Pretend to the throne

Stop pretending

Pretend it's not happening

Pretend to be someone else

Pretend to care

Pretend to understand

Pretend to be busy

Pretend to be brave

अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है

pretend vs intend

Intend means to plan; pretend means to act as if.

pretend vs claim

Claim means to state something is true; pretend means to act as if something false is true.

pretend vs imagine

Imagine is mental; pretend is usually behavioral.

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

"The great pretender"

Someone who is very good at hiding their true feelings or situation.

He's the great pretender, always smiling while he's suffering.

informal

"Fake it till you make it"

To pretend to be confident or successful until you actually become so.

I didn't know how to lead the team, so I just had to fake it till I made it.

informal/business

"Put on an act"

To behave in a way that is not sincere to impress or deceive others.

She's just putting on an act to get your attention.

neutral

"Play-act"

To behave in an insincere way or to pretend to have certain feelings.

Stop play-acting and tell me the truth.

neutral

"Sail under false colors"

To pretend to be something you are not, especially to deceive.

He was sailing under false colors when he said he was a lawyer.

literary

"Wolf in sheep's clothing"

Someone who pretends to be good but is actually dangerous.

Be careful with him; he's a wolf in sheep's clothing.

neutral

"Cry wolf"

To pretend there is a problem when there isn't, so people stop believing you.

If you keep crying wolf, no one will help you when you're actually in trouble.

neutral

"Keep up appearances"

To pretend that everything is fine to maintain social status.

Even though they were broke, they kept up appearances by driving a fancy car.

neutral

"A charade"

A situation where people pretend that something is true when it clearly isn't.

The whole trial was just a charade; the verdict was already decided.

neutral

"Make-believe world"

A fantasy world that someone creates by pretending.

He lives in a make-believe world where he is always the hero.

neutral

आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले

pretend vs feign

Similar meaning.

Feign is more formal and specific to emotions or conditions.

He feigned illness.

pretend vs affect

Both involve a false display.

Affect is about adopting a behavior or style that isn't natural.

He affected a posh accent.

pretend vs simulate

Both involve copying reality.

Simulate is technical or scientific.

The pilot simulated a crash.

pretend vs fake

Synonyms.

Fake is more informal and often implies fraud.

He faked the signature.

pretend vs sham

Synonyms.

Sham is often used as a noun or adjective for a whole situation.

The marriage was a sham.

वाक्य संरचनाएँ

I pretend to be [noun].

I pretend to be a dog.

He/She pretends to [verb].

She pretends to sleep.

They pretended that [clause].

They pretended that they were lost.

Stop pretending to [verb].

Stop pretending to care.

It's hard to pretend that [clause].

It's hard to pretend that I'm okay.

Pretend not to [verb].

Pretend not to notice the mistake.

[Subject] pretended [noun].

He pretended indifference.

To pretend otherwise would be [adjective].

To pretend otherwise would be foolish.

शब्द परिवार

संज्ञा

क्रिया

विशेषण

इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written English.

सामान्य गलतियाँ

I pretend to go to the party tomorrow. → I intend to go to the party tomorrow.
Pretend is for acting; intend is for planning.
He is pretending a doctor. → He is pretending to be a doctor.
You must use 'to be' before the noun.
She pretended like she was tired. → She pretended that she was tired.
'That' is better than 'like' in formal English.
I pretended to not see him. → I pretended not to see him.
The 'not' should come before 'to' in a negative infinitive.
They pretend they are rich. → They pretend to be rich.
Both are correct, but 'to be' is more common for simple states.

सुझाव

Use the Infinitive

The most common way to use 'pretend' is with 'to' and a verb. For example: 'pretend to eat'.

Learn the Noun

The noun form is 'pretense'. You can say 'It was all a pretense'.

Polite Pretending

In English, it is often considered polite to pretend you are interested in what someone is saying.

Pronunciation

Make sure you don't say 'PRE-tend'. The stress is on the 'TEND'.

Avoid Repetition

If you use 'pretend' too much, try using 'act as if' or 'feign' for variety.

Kids and Play

Remember that 'pretend play' is a very common phrase in education and parenting.

The Great Pretender

This is a famous phrase for someone who hides their true self.

Pretend vs Intend

Always double-check if you mean a plan (intend) or an act (pretend).

Formal Usage

In formal contexts, you can use 'pretend' with a noun like 'pretend ignorance'.

Games

Playing 'pretend' is a great way to practice English with friends.

याद करें

स्मृति सहायक

Think of a 'Pre-TENDer' who 'TENDS' to act like something 'PRE' (before) it is actually true. Or: 'Pretend' starts with 'Pre', like a 'Preview' of something that isn't the real show yet.

दृश्य संबंध

Imagine a child wearing a cardboard crown and a towel as a cape. They are pretending to be a king. The cardboard is the 'pretense' of gold.

Word Web

Imagine Act Fake Feign Play Dream Deceive Mask

चैलेंज

Try to use 'pretend' in three different ways today: once about a child, once about a feeling, and once about a situation you want to ignore.

शब्द की उत्पत्ति

Derived from the Latin word 'praetendere', which means 'to stretch in front' or 'to spread before'. This originally referred to putting something forward as an excuse or a cover.

मूल अर्थ: To put forward as a reason or excuse; to allege.

Indo-European (Latin -> Old French -> Middle English)

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ

Be careful when using 'pretend' to describe someone's identity or beliefs, as it can be offensive to suggest they are 'acting' rather than being genuine.

The phrase 'fake it till you make it' is a popular American idiom about pretending to be successful to eventually become so.

The Platters song 'The Great Pretender' The movie 'Catch Me If You Can' about a real-life pretender The character of Holden Caulfield in 'The Catcher in the Rye' who hates 'phonies' (people who pretend)

असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें

वास्तविक संदर्भ

Childhood

pretend play
make-believe
pretend friend
let's pretend

Social Situations

pretend to be happy
pretend not to hear
pretend to care
keep up appearances

Workplace

pretend to be busy
pretend to understand
fake it till you make it
pretend everything is fine

Acting/Theater

pretend to cry
pretend to be a character
the art of pretending
professional pretender

Deception

pretend to be a doctor
pretend to have money
pretend to be innocent
a complete pretense

बातचीत की शुरुआत

"What did you used to pretend to be when you were a child?"

"Do you think it's ever okay to pretend to like a gift you don't want?"

"Have you ever had to pretend to be busy to avoid a social event?"

"In what situations do you think people pretend the most?"

"Is 'faking it till you make it' a good strategy for a new job?"

डायरी विषय

Describe a time when you had to pretend to be brave even though you were very scared.

Write about a world where everyone has to pretend to be happy all the time. What would that be like?

Reflect on the difference between 'pretending' for fun and 'pretending' to deceive someone.

Do you think social media encourages people to pretend their lives are more perfect than they are?

Think about a famous person who you think might be pretending to be someone they are not.

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

Not necessarily. It is very positive when talking about children's imagination and play. However, it can be negative if it involves lying or being insincere in adult relationships.

Yes, it is common in informal American English, but 'pretend that' is more grammatically correct for formal writing and exams.

Imagining happens in your head. Pretending usually involves acting it out with your body or words so others can see it.

It is a regular verb, so you just add -ed: 'Yesterday, I pretended to be a pirate.'

It refers to someone who claims they should be the king or queen, especially when someone else is already on the throne.

They are related, but 'pretentious' is an adjective for someone who tries to look more important or smarter than they really are.

Yes, you can use it before a noun to mean 'not real,' like 'pretend food' or 'pretend money'.

The most common synonym for children is 'make-believe'.

No, you usually pretend *to be* a person or pretend *to* a status/title (formal).

It means that if you pretend to be confident, you will eventually start to feel truly confident.