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Prepositions after verbs

Masquerade as, under, at, or like?

Masquerade is most commonly followed by as to describe a false identity or appearance. Other prepositions usually belong to separate expressions or contexts.

Quick answer

Which construction is standard?

Use masquerade as someone or something to mean pretending to be another person, role, or thing. Under may appear in phrases such as under the guise of, but not usually directly after masquerade. Masquerade at refers to location or event context, not the core verb pattern. Like is uncommon after masquerade.

He masqueraded as a journalist.
The spyware masqueraded as a game.
They masqueraded at the festival in elaborate costumes.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
masquerade as + identity

Pretending to be someone or something

Use as to introduce the false identity.

She masqueraded as a nurse.
The file masqueraded as a harmless document.
2
masquerade at + event

Describing where the masquerade happens

At can introduce a place or event, not the identity itself.

Guests masqueraded at the ball until midnight.
Children masqueraded at the parade.
3
masquerade under + name

Using a false name or label

Under can appear when referring to a name, title, or label used for concealment.

The group masqueraded under a false name.
The product masqueraded under several brands.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
masquerade as
The thief masqueraded as a police officer.
Standard pattern for a false identity or role.
masquerade under
The writer masqueraded under a pen name.
Possible when referring to a name or label used for concealment.
masquerade at
They masqueraded at the carnival.
At introduces the event or place, not the disguised identity.
masquerade like
The app masqueraded as security software, not like security software.
Like is not the normal preposition after masquerade for false identity.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using like instead of as

Use as for a false role or identity.

✕ He masqueraded like a doctor. ✓ He masqueraded as a doctor.

Using at for identity

At refers to a place or event, not the role being imitated.

✕ She masqueraded at a teacher. ✓ She masqueraded as a teacher.

Confusing under with as

Under usually refers to a name or label, not a full role.

✕ The spy masqueraded under a waiter. ✓ The spy masqueraded as a waiter.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The hacker masqueraded ___ a bank employee.
2. They masqueraded ___ the city parade.
3. The company masqueraded ___ a different brand name.

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Frequently asked questions

Is masquerade as the most common pattern?

Yes. It is the standard way to describe pretending to be someone or something else.

Can masquerade be used without a preposition?

Yes. It can refer generally to wearing disguises or attending a masquerade event.

Is masquerade like correct?

It is not the usual pattern for identity. Use masquerade as instead.

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