What are the similarities and differences between these definitions, besides the existence of an object?
1.2. pretend [with object] = Give the appearance of feeling or possessing (an emotion or quality); simulate
2. pretend to [no object] = Lay claim to (a quality or title)
p 23, Select Speeches, Volume 1, By Daniel O'Connell:
Yes, restore to Irishmen their country, and you may well defy the in-vader's force ; give back Ireland to her hardy and brave popula-tion, and you have nothing to dread from foreign power. It is useless to detain the meeting, longer, in detailing the miseries that the Union has produced, or in pointing out the necessity that exists for its Repeal. I have never met any man who did not deplore this fatal measure, which has despoiled his country; nor do I believe that there is a single individual in the island, who could be found even to pretend approbation of that measure. I would be glad to see the face of the man, or rather of the beast, who could dare to say he thought the Union wise or good — for the being who could say so, must be devoid of all the feelings that distinguish humanity.
Why not: pretend TO approbation?
Examples of 'pretend TO rectitude' can be found here. But why is TO necessary in these cases?
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