Pretense vs. Pretence: What’s the Difference?

Pretense and pretence mean exactly the same thing — a false appearance, excuse, or claim.
The only difference is spelling based on region.

Pretense → ✔ American English
Pretence → ✔ British/Commonwealth English

Choose the spelling that matches your audience or style guide.

1. Pretense

Meaning

Pretense (U.S. spelling) refers to a false show, fake behavior, or claim that isn’t true.

Examples (10 total)

1. She made no pretense of being interested.
2. His kindness was just a pretense.
3. They met under the pretense of friendship.
4. The apology felt like a pretense.
5. He visited under the pretense of checking on her.
6. The offer was only a pretense to gain trust.
7. She dropped the pretense of being calm.
8. The meeting was arranged on the pretense of work.
9. His smile was a pretense masking his anger.
10. The rules were enforced under the pretense of safety.

🧠 Tip:
If writing for an American audience → pretense.

2. Pretence

Meaning

Pretence (U.K., Canada, Australia) has the same meaning as pretense — a false front or misleading appearance.

Examples (10 total)

1. She made no pretence of enjoying the event.
2. His concern was merely a pretence.
3. They met under the pretence of business.
4. Her apology was a pretence.
5. The invitation was a pretence to gather information.
6. He dropped the pretence of confidence.
7. Their friendship was only a pretence.
8. He acted under the pretence of authority.
9. The rule was introduced under the pretence of fairness.
10. She used illness as a pretence for staying home.

🧠 Tip:
If writing for British readers → pretence.

3. Quick Comparison Table

4. How to Remember

👉 American English prefers -se (defense, license, pretense)
👉 British English prefers -ce (defence, licence, pretence)

Memory trick:
Think US = S (pretense)
UK = C (pretence)

5. Common Mistakes

❌ Thinking one spelling is more correct
✔ Both are correct in their regions

❌ Mixing both spellings in the same document
✔ Stay consistent

❌ Confusing “pretense” with “pretend”
✔ “Pretense” is the noun; “pretend” is the verb

Writing More Naturally

Choosing the correct regional spelling helps keep your writing consistent and professional. If you want your text to match American or British conventions smoothly, an AI humanizer can help rewrite everything in a natural, human-sounding style.

FAQs

1. Do “pretense” and “pretence” have different meanings?

No — they mean exactly the same thing.

2. Which spelling should I use?

Use pretense in the U.S., pretence in the U.K./Commonwealth.

3. Is one spelling more formal?

No — both are equally formal in their regions.

4. Does pronunciation change?

No — both are pronounced the same.

Practice: Choose the Correct Spelling

(Answers are based on your preferred English variant.)

1. His apology was just a __________.
2. She dropped the __________ of confidence.
3. He visited under the __________ of helping.
4. Their kindness was only a __________.
5. The rule was added under the __________ of safety.

Answers

(American: pretense / British: pretence)

1. pretense / pretence
2. pretense / pretence
3. pretense / pretence
4. pretense / pretence
5. pretense / pretence