Pretend to eat vs Pretend eating

Both "pretend to eat" and "pretend eating" are correct and usable. They can be used similarly in certain cases. The choice between the two depends on personal preference or the flow of the sentence.

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Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 25, 2025 • 4794 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"Pretend to eat"

This phrase is used when someone is acting as if they are eating, but not actually consuming any food. It is a common expression in role-playing games or when children engage in imaginative play.

Examples:

She likes to pretend to eat with her toy kitchen set.
The actor had to pretend to eat the fake food during the scene.
Let's pretend to eat at a fancy restaurant tonight.

Show examples from the web [+]

Pretend to eat a little out of respect for the person who made this for you.
So ashamed that they had to haul a pail to school and pretend to eat, so nobody would catch on that their daddy gives them nothin'.
A thousand times pretend to eat, my little one.
He just pretends to eat cookies, but he never swallows anything.
You know, for example, he pretends to eat popcorn, but actually he's touching your hand, something like that.
I'd poison your cupcakes that you pretend not to eat everyday.
It is easier to say no to dessert than to pretend you don't eat.
He pretends to eat some people.
I can't go to a restaurant and pretend to be human, when all I want to do is eat the table next to me.
He'd pretend to hypnotize me and then under his spell I'd drink a bottle of beer and then eat the bottle.
Don't have to eat dry turkey or pretend that uncle ray Isn't ripped on scotch and looking at us's that?
We eat and we talk and we pretend to be better than we actually are?
Instead it pretends to tackle youth smoking.
And sometimes they pretend to fight.
He always pretends to be my dad.
Bobbi can pretend to like anything.
Pretend to be wealthy criminals, potential new clients.
She pretends to pretend to be jealous
We have to tell her Frank will pretend to shoot me.
I will pretend to be their King.

Alternatives:

act like eating
make believe eating
feign eating
simulate eating
mimic eating

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"Pretend eating"

This phrase is also used when someone is acting as if they are eating without actually consuming any food. It is interchangeable with 'pretend to eat' and can be used in various contexts.

Examples:

The children were pretending eating their imaginary ice cream.
He was caught pretending eating the plastic fruit.
Let's pretend eating our favorite dishes for fun.

Show examples from the web [+]

Just pretend you're eating seeds.
Just pretend you are eating and you'll be O.K.
I've been watching model girl pretend she's eating for 30 minutes.
large cheese pizza with one slice taken out so I can pretend I'm eating pac-man like my hero Blinky the ghost.
It's too sweet Pretend you are eating candy
I like to pretend they can see me eating.
When I was a kid, we used to pretend that we were cowboys eating around a campfire and we'd eat it right out of the pan on the stove.
When you get married, just pretend it's your first time eating Lobster.

Alternatives:

act like eating
make believe eating
feign eating
simulate eating
mimic eating

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Pretend to eat vs Pretend eating

"Pretend to eat"

"Pretend eating"

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