Cool MateAct vs Pretend
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Act
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Pretend
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
| Act | Pretend | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ækt/","/ækts/","/ˈæktɪd/","/ˈæktɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ækt/","/ækts/","/ˈæktɪd/","/ˈæktɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/prɪˈtend/","/prɪˈtendz/","/prɪˈtendɪd/","/prɪˈtendɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/prɪˈtend/","/prɪˈtendz/","/prɪˈtendɪd/","/prɪˈtendɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To do something or take action. | to act as if something is true, even if it isn't |
| Example | She decided to act in the school play this year. | Children often pretend to be superheroes during playtime. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | at once, immediately, promptly, against, for somebody, on behalf of somebody, act as if, act in somebody’s best interests, act in good faith, at once, immediately, promptly, against, for somebody, on behalf of somebody, act as if, act in somebody’s best interests, act in good faith, brilliantly, well, badly, brilliantly, well, badly | otherwise, at least, just, can no longer, try to, be dishonest to, to, go on pretending, just pretending, only pretending |
| Antonyms | ignore, neglect, refrain | be honest, reveal |
| Common mistakes | 'Act' is sometimes confused with 'take action', which has a slightly different connotation., Learners often omit the preposition when using 'act on' phrases., 'Act' may be incorrectly used as a noun instead of a verb. | Mixing up with 'pretence' which is a noun., Using 'pretend' without a subject, missing the actor., Confusing past forms: 'pretended' vs. 'pretend'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'act' in both formal and informal contexts when referring to behavior. Avoid using it in overly casual settings when describing serious actions. | Use 'pretend' when discussing acting or imagining. It's neutral and avoids negative connotations. Not suitable for serious or formal topics. |
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Frequently asked questions: Act vs Pretend
What's the difference between Act and Pretend?
Act: To do something or take action. Pretend: to act as if something is true, even if it isn't
Which is more advanced: Act and Pretend?
Pretend is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Act and Pretend the same CEFR level?
Act: A2, Pretend: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Act and Pretend?
Act: verb, Pretend: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Act: She decided to act in the school play this year. Pretend: Children often pretend to be superheroes during playtime.
Can I use Act and Pretend interchangeably?
Not always. Act and Pretend are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.