Cool MatePretending vs What if he's faking it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Pretending
Top 2,000 (common)
What if he's faking it
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: PretendingMost common: Pretending
| Pretending | What if he's faking it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //prɪˈtɛndɪŋ//🇺🇸 //prɪˈtɛndɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪf hiːz ˈfeɪkɪŋ ɪt//🇺🇸 //wʌt ɪf hiz ˈfeɪkɪŋ ɪt// |
| Meaning | Acting as if something is true when it is not. | What happens if he's pretending |
| Example | She is pretending to be a doctor for the school play. | What if he's faking it during the entire performance? |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | pretending game, pretending to be, pretending for fun, pretending skills | faking feelings, faking illness, faking a smile, faking enthusiasm, faking expertise |
| Antonyms | revealing, being honest | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'pretend' - 'pretend' is the base form, 'pretending' is the gerund., Using 'pretending' incorrectly with verbs - it should function as an action or description. | Confusing 'faking' with 'making'., Using 'if' incorrectly in conditional statements., Misunderstanding the meaning of 'faking' as not serious. |
| Usage notes | Used in both casual and formal contexts, but can imply deceit in negative situations. Avoid in serious discussions. | Used in casual conversations when questioning someone's authenticity or feelings. Avoid in formal discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Pretending vs What if he's faking it
What's the difference between Pretending and What if he's faking it?
Pretending: Acting as if something is true when it is not. What if he's faking it: What happens if he's pretending
Which is more formal: Pretending and What if he's faking it?
Pretending is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Pretending and What if he's faking it?
Pretending is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Pretending: She is pretending to be a doctor for the school play. What if he's faking it: What if he's faking it during the entire performance?
Can I use Pretending and What if he's faking it interchangeably?
Not always. Pretending and What if he's faking it 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.