prétendre

Prétendre is a French verb with two primary senses. It can mean to pretend or feign that something is true or that one is a certain thing, as in “Il prétend être malade” (he pretends to be ill). It can also mean to claim or assert entitlement or to aspire to something, as in “Elle prétend à un poste” (she claims a position) or “prétendre à un droit” (to claim a right). The reflexive form “se prétendre” expresses presenting oneself as something, often in a way that may be questioned, for example “Elle se prétend experte” (she claims to be an expert).

Etymology and nuance: prétendre comes from Old French pretendre, from Latin praetendere, literally “to stretch forth” or “to thrust forward a claim.” The circumflex on ê reflects historical vowel length. The verb is versatile and can convey that someone is asserting something, or that someone is feigning or pretending.

Usage and syntax: With clauses, it can be used as “prétendre que” to introduce a claim about a proposition, as in “Il prétend que tout va bien.” With a noun or prepositional object, it often expresses an entitlement or aspiration, as in “prétendre à un poste” or “prétendre à des droits.” The passé composé uses the auxiliary avoir: “j’ai prétendu.” Common conjugation follows the regular -re pattern: je prétends, tu prétends, il prétend; nous prétendons, vous prétendez, ils prétendent; the past participle is prétendu. Synonyms include affirmer, alléguer, revendiquer.