What a situation seems like...
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| Photo by Tamara Gak on Unsplash |
As if and as though are both used to say what a situation seems like. They can refer to something that we think may be true.
- It looks as if/though it's going to rain.
- It sounds as if/though John's going to change his job.
They can also be used to talk about things which we know are not true.
- I feel as if/though I'm dying.
- She was acting as if/though she was in charge.
When we talk about things which we know are not true, we can use a past tense with a present meaning after as if/though. This emphasises the meaning of unreality. Compare:
- She looks as if she is rich. (Perhaps she is.)
- He talks as if he was rich. (But he is definitely not.)
- You look as though you know each other.
- Why is he looking at me as though he knew me? I've never seen him before.
#other expressions:
if only, it's time, what if, assuming, say, suppose / supposing, would rather / sooner & I wish
In a formal style, were can be used instead of was in an 'unreal' comparison.This is common in American English.
- He talks as if he were rich. (but he isn't rich)
like meaning 'as if/though'
Like is often used in the same way as as if/though, especially in an informal style. This used to be typically AmE, but it is now common in BrE.
- It seems like it's going to rain.
- He sat there smiling like it was his birthday.
