Difference between revisions of "Language/English/Vocabulary/As-if-and-as-though;-like"
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<div style="font-size:300%;"> As if and as though; like</div> | |||
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==Meaning== | |||
'''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.''' | '''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.''' | ||
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She was acting as if/though she was in charge. | She was acting as if/though she was in charge. | ||
==Tenses== | |||
'''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.''' | '''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.''' | ||
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He talks as if he were rich. | He talks as if he were rich. | ||
=="Like" meaning 'as if/though== | |||
"Like" is often used in the same way as "as if/though", particularly in an informal style. This used to be typically American English, but it is now common in British English. | "Like" is often used in the same way as "as if/though", particularly in an informal style. This used to be typically American English, but it is now common in British English. | ||
Revision as of 19:03, 12 May 2020
Meaning
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.
Examples:
It looks as if/though it’s going to snow.
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.
Examples:
I feel as if/though I'm dying.
She was acting as if/though she was in charge.
Tenses
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.
In a formal style, "were" can be used instead of "was" in an ‘unreal’ comparison. This is common in American English.
Example:
He talks as if he were rich.
"Like" meaning 'as if/though
"Like" is often used in the same way as "as if/though", particularly in an informal style. This used to be typically American English, but it is now common in British English.
Examples:
It seems like it’s going to snow.
He sat there smiling like it was his birthday.