Cool MateImpersonate vs Pretend
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Impersonate
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Pretend
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Most common: Pretend
| Impersonate | Pretend | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪmˈpɜːsəneɪt//🇺🇸 //ɪmˈpɜr.sə.neɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/prɪˈtend/","/prɪˈtendz/","/prɪˈtendɪd/","/prɪˈtendɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/prɪˈtend/","/prɪˈtendz/","/prɪˈtendɪd/","/prɪˈtendɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To pretend to be someone else. | to act as if something is true, even if it isn't |
| Example | The actor will impersonate a famous musician in the upcoming film. | Children often pretend to be superheroes during playtime. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | impersonate someone, impersonate a character, impersonate an artist, impersonate a celebrity, impersonate a voice | otherwise, at least, just, can no longer, try to, be dishonest to, to, go on pretending, just pretending, only pretending |
| Antonyms | reveal, disclose | be honest, reveal |
| Common mistakes | Confuse with 'emulate' which means to copy someone's actions without pretending., Use 'impersonate' as a noun which is incorrect., Mix up 'impersonate' with 'imitation' which implies copying without pretension. | 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 'impersonate' in contexts involving acting, comedy, or deception. Avoid in serious situations unless referring to a role or performance. | 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: Impersonate vs Pretend
What's the difference between Impersonate and Pretend?
Impersonate: To pretend to be someone else. Pretend: to act as if something is true, even if it isn't
Which is more common: Impersonate and Pretend?
Pretend is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Impersonate: The actor will impersonate a famous musician in the upcoming film. Pretend: Children often pretend to be superheroes during playtime.
Can I use Impersonate and Pretend interchangeably?
Not always. Impersonate 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.