What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pretext
Example
He used the pretext of being sick to avoid going to the party. [pretext: noun]
Example
She gave a flimsy pretext for her absence from work. [pretext: adjective]
pretense
Example
He put on a pretense of being happy, but he was really sad. [pretense: noun]
Example
She made a pretense of listening to her friend, but she was really thinking about something else. [pretense: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pretext is less common than pretense in everyday language, but both words are used in formal and informal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between pretext and pretense?
Both pretext and pretense can be used in formal or informal contexts, but pretext may be considered more formal due to its Latin origin and legal connotations.
