What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
masquerading
Example
The thief was masquerading as a security guard. [masquerading: verb]
Example
The politician's true motives were masquerading behind his public persona. [masquerading: present participle]
posing
Example
She was posing as a model for the photoshoot. [posing: verb]
Example
The celebrity was accused of posing for the cameras and not being genuine. [posing: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Posing is more commonly used than masquerading in everyday language. Posing is versatile and can be used in both positive and negative contexts, while masquerading is less common and has a more specific and serious connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between masquerading and posing?
Both masquerading and posing are formal words that are typically used in more serious or literary contexts. However, posing can also be used in more casual or colloquial speech.
