Hi, here is something really confuses me, could you help me out?

Me looking up “false” and “fake”, but I still can’t figure something out as they are adjectives.

F.e.: she was charged with using a false passport.

My question is whether the “false” should be replaced by “fake”.

Question

Hi, here is something really confuses me, could you help me out?

Me looking up “false” and “fake”, but I still can’t figure something out as they are adjectives.

F.e.: she was charged with using a false passport.

My question is whether the “false” should be replaced by “fake”.

Answer

Hi Yuan,

Both 'false' and 'fake' can be used. The focus is slightly different:

false = information that is not true
fake = a thing is not genuine/real

If you're saying a 'false' passport, the focus is on the information not being true.
If you're saying a 'fake' passport, the focus is on the physical object not being real/genuine.

I hope this helps!

-Josh

Answer

Differences:
1. False: Incorrect or intended to deceive.
2. Fake: Not genuine; counterfeit.

Context:
* False passport: Emphasizes illegitimacy.
* Fake passport: Emphasizes it’s a counterfeit.

Your Example:
"She was charged with using a false passport."
* "False": More formal and typical in legal contexts.
* "Fake": Less formal but still correct.

Conclusion:
* Preferred: "She was charged with using a false passport."
* Also correct: "She was charged with using a fake passport."

Answer

Also, "false" is neutral and factual in tone, while "fake" is slightly informal or colloquial.

Answer

false - formal

fake - less formal

Answer

They are not the same. For example, if your passport says that you were born in the wrong city it would be false but not fake.