In the following question, choose the single word that is the best substitute for the given phrase: To invent something in order to deceive.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of one word substitutes, an important area in competitive English exams. The phrase given is to invent something in order to deceive, which points to a very specific verb used when people create false stories, evidence, or claims.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The phrase focuses on inventing with an intention to mislead or cheat. It does not refer to creating something neutral or positive, such as composing music or formulating a plan. The word we choose must therefore include both creation and dishonesty in its meaning.

Concept / Approach:
Formulate means to create or express an idea or plan carefully, with no implication of deception. Compose means to write or create music, poetry, or text. Project can function as a verb meaning to forecast, to throw, or to plan, again without a built in sense of lying. Fabricate, however, has a special meaning in legal and everyday contexts where it means to invent false information or evidence in order to deceive others.

Step-by-Step Solution:
First, compare formulate with the phrase. While we can formulate a theory or a strategy, the verb does not automatically imply dishonesty, so it does not precisely match the phrase.Second, consider compose. We compose letters, songs, or essays, but the word gives no sense that these creations are intentionally false.Third, examine project. To project sales or project an image does not necessarily involve deception and usually refers to prediction or display.Fourth, examine fabricate. This verb is commonly used in phrases like fabricate evidence, fabricate a story, or fabricate charges, all of which mean to make up something false in order to mislead.Therefore, fabricate is the only option whose meaning aligns exactly with the phrase in the question.

Verification / Alternative check:
Look up example sentences in your memory: The witness had fabricated his testimony, The documents were fabricated, or She was accused of fabricating the entire story. In each case, fabricate clearly combines invention with deceit. In contrast, sentences like She formulated a policy or He composed a song do not convey any dishonest intention. This confirms that fabricate is the best one word substitute.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
To formulate emphasises careful planning or expression and is neutral in moral tone. To compose focuses on artistic or written creation and also carries no necessary idea of lying. To project may involve presenting an image or predicting, but again does not indicate deliberate falsehood. Only fabricate has the negative sense of creating something false or artificial in order to trick others.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates choose words based only on the create part of the phrase and ignore the in order to deceive part. This leads them to pick formulate or compose, which only capture half the meaning. Others may be misled by the popularity of terms like project in business English. For one word substitute questions, always ensure that the chosen word matches the full phrase, including any moral or emotional colouring.

Final Answer:
The correct one word substitute is to fabricate.