pretend to be vs pretend be

"Pretend to be" is a correct expression that indicates someone is acting as if they are something or someone else. On the other hand, "pretend be" may sound awkward to native English speakers.

Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: June 21, 2024 • 109 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"pretend to be"

This phrase is used when someone is acting as if they are something or someone else. It is followed by the object of the pretense.

Examples:

She pretended to be a famous actress.
He pretended to be sick to avoid going to school.
They pretended to be superheroes during the game.
The child pretended to be a doctor while playing with toys.
I will pretend to be your assistant for the day.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: October 30, 2024

Sep 11, 2017 ... The more you pretend to be something, the easier it becomes to pretend, until eventually it doesn't seem like you are pretending anymore.
5 days ago ... The open secret of open washing – why companies pretend to be open source. 45 comment bubble on white. Allowing pretenders to co-opt the term ...
Mar 25, 2022 ... 14 votes, 13 comments. I was re-reading the black clover manga and as I was a thought crossed my mind. why does patri pretend to be licht?
pretend to be: crossword clues. Matching Answer. Confidence. POSEAS. 95%. GOAS. 91%. ACT. 88%. ACTAS. 88%. LETON. 46%. FEIGN. 41%. FAKEIT. 20%. LIPSYNC.
Apr 26, 2023 ... ... pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.” Adam and Shauna swap Vonnegut quotes at the hotel during Ep. 3. While ...
Aug 13, 2017 ... Pretend to Be the Best Version of Yourself ... A woman sat on my building's stoop today, curled around her phone. I recognized her, despite only ...
Jun 26, 2019 ... why does he pretend to be psychic? hi. I'm a casual fan of the show but never understood why the guy is pretending to be psychic. Why doesn ...
Jul 11, 2024 ... I pretend to be obsessed with other characters but these queens really stole my heart. So excited for you guys to see them bring Lily to the ...
Jul 12, 2022 ... Why do some people pretend to be Indigenous? OPINION: For a while now, the media has been flush with stories about pretendians. I'm ...
These are words and phrases related to pretend to be. Click on any word or phrase to go to its thesaurus page. IMPERSONATE. Synonyms.

Alternatives:

act as if
play the role of
feign being
simulate being

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

"pretend be"

This phrase can be used in a more informal or poetic context, but it may sound awkward to native English speakers. It is followed by the object of the pretense.

Examples:

Let's pretend be pirates for the day.
I will pretend be a bird and fly away.
They wanted to pretend be characters from their favorite movie.
She asked him to pretend be her boyfriend for the event.
In their game, they would pretend be explorers in a far-off land.

Show examples from the web [+]

Look, if you have to pretend be someone else in front of your girlfriend then maybe she isn't right for you.
If I'm going to pretend be your girlfriend, I have to be treated like your girlfriend.
Pretend to be wealthy criminals, potential new clients.
Half the country pretend to be in the U.S.
He always pretends to be my dad.
I'm going to be pretend to be rich.
Continue the pretend to be simple.
They pretend to be your saving Grace.
Vampires who pretend to be humans pretending to be vampires.
These emigrants only pretend to be farmers.
You only pretend to be poor.
But she didn't pretend to be ashamed.
I couldn't pretend to be a little defenseless girl.
So I pay someone to pretend to be his owner.
I'll pretend to be waiting for a jeep.
Don't pretend to be tough.
You pretend to be a struggling young artist who needs a new muse.
Just pretend to be busy forever.
Clap if what you do is pretend to be busy.
And you want to pretend to be her.

Alternatives:

act as
play the part of
feign to be
simulate to be

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