Engels

pretend

gb/pɹitˈɛnd/ us/pɹitˈɛnd/
A1 Engels
~ 2900
Betekenissen
0 betekenissen
Werkwoord A2 action
1

Act as if something is true

To act like something is real when it is not.

Gebruikspatroon: to pretend [that] [something]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pretend' with 'intend'. 'Pretend' means to act as if something is true, while 'intend' means to plan to do something.
Synoniemen
fake (Often stronger and can imply deliberate dishonesty, not just play-acting.) | feign (More formal; often used for pretending feelings or conditions.)
Antoniemen
admit (To openly say the truth instead of acting like something else is true.)
Woordcombinaties
pretend to be |pretend that |pretend not to |just pretend |pretend for fun
Thema's
daily life |emotions |communication |core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
  • She pretended to be asleep when her parents came in.
  • He pretended that he knew the answer.
  • They pretended not to hear the question.
  • I pretended I was a superhero when I was a kid.
  • Don't pretend you don't know what's going on.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
  • I pretended to be a cat.
  • He pretended he was sick.
  • She pretended to read a book.
  • We pretended we were on a boat.
Werkwoord A1 action
2

Play imaginary games

To play a game where you imagine you are someone or something else.

Gebruikspatroon: to pretend to be [someone/something]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes use 'pretend' in this sense in serious contexts where it sounds childish or playful unintentionally.
Synoniemen
make-believe (Often used for children's imaginative play.)
Antoniemen
be serious (To act in a way that is real and not playful or imagined.)
Woordcombinaties
pretend play |pretend game |pretend to be a princess |pretend adventure
Thema's
daily life |children |games |daily_life |arts_entertainment
Voorbeelden
  • The children pretended to be pirates on a ship.
  • Let’s pretend we’re exploring space.
  • She pretended to be a famous singer during the party.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
  • We pretended to be animals.
  • He pretended to be a king.
  • She pretended to fly like a bird.
Werkwoord formal C1 action
3

Claim without proof or right

To say you have something, like a right, when you do not really have it.

Gebruikspatroon: to pretend to [something]
Synoniemen
profess (Formal; can imply claiming something as true or genuine.)
Antoniemen
disclaim (To deny having any right or connection.)
Woordcombinaties
pretend to authority |pretend to knowledge
Thema's
law |argument |communication
Voorbeelden
  • He pretends to great knowledge of art, but he knows very little.
  • Several groups pretended to the throne during the crisis.
  • She pretends to authority she does not have.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
  • He pretends to know everything about history.
  • They pretend to have power they do not have.
Grammatica
Lemmavorm
pretend
IPA
GB/pɹitˈɛnd/
US/pɹitˈɛnd/
Lettergrepen en klemtoon
pre - tend (2 lettergrepen)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tend)
Woordvormen
Verb
  • Base: pretend
  • 3rd Person Singular: pretends
  • Present Participle: pretending
  • Past: pretended
Woordfamilie
Forms
pretends verb pretending verb pretended verb
Core family
pretense noun
Related words
pretender noun pretentious adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unpretentious adjective
Advanced or less common
pretension noun pretentiously adverb
Uitdrukkingen

let's pretend

1
/lˈɛts pɹitˈɛnd/
fixed phrase

Invite someone to imagine together

Used when you ask someone to imagine something with you for fun or an example.

Voorbeelden
  • Let's pretend we're on a treasure hunt.
  • Let's pretend we live on the moon.

only pretending

1
/ˈoʊnli pɹitˈɛndɪŋ/
fixed phrase

Not serious, just acting

When someone is acting but not really meaning it.

Voorbeelden
  • Don't worry, she was only pretending to be angry.
  • He said he was hurt, but he was only pretending.

pretend play

1
/pɹitˈɛnd plˈeɪ/
fixed phrase

Imaginative play by acting roles

A game where children act like they are other people or things.

Voorbeelden
  • Pretend play helps children develop social skills.
  • The kids were engaged in pretend play as doctors and patients.

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