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When we want to say what something or someone seems like, we can use the phrase as if. We can also use as though in exactly the same way.
Here are some examples. The bracketed words give you an explanation of the meaning or implication or situation.
He looks as if/though he hasn’t slept all night. (His appearance suggests this, i.e. he looks very tired.)
It feels as if/though summer’s on the way. (The warm air and sunny sky suggest this.)
It sounds as if/though they’ve arrived. (The sound of a car stopping, doors opening, people talking outside suggest this.)
We can also use as if and as though with a past verb tense, to suggest that something is unreal:
She behaves as if/though she were the Queen. (She obviously isn’t the Queen.)
He walks as if/though he were an old man. (But in fact he’s a young man.)
They talk as if/though the world were coming to an end. (Of course it’s not.)
Compare these two sentences:
He looks as if/though he’s sick. (He is sick.)
He talks as if/though he were sick. (But actually he’s well.)
In informal speech, we can use like instead of as if/though:
He looks like he hasn’t slept all night.
It feels like summer’s on the way.
It sounds like they’ve arrived.
Now let’s do some practice. Here are the first halves of some phrases:
1) He walks with a limp,
2) She’s so pale!
3) These children make so much noise!
4) It’s been very cold lately.
5) He won’t mention any names.
6) She talks as if she were a millionaire,
7) They talk as though they were angels,
8) He behaves as though he knew all the answers,
9) She behaves as though she were the only driver on the road,
10) Although it happened years ago,
See if you can match with the second halves. Answers below my name.
a) It sounds as though there were a herd of elephants in the next room.
b) but he is actually quite ignorant.
c) She looks as though she’s seen a ghost.
d) not paying attention to other motorists.
e) I remember it as if it were yesterday.
f) as though his leg was hurting him.
g) but really they’re naughty children.
h) It seems as if he’s trying to protect someone.
i) It feels as if winter is coming.
j) but actually she’s quite poor.
Guy Perring is Director, Professional Development Unit (PDU), at the British Council Malaysia. The PDU offers a wide range of learning opportunities from management and communications skills training to developing English skills. Contact the British Council in Kuala Lumpur at Tel:03-2723 7900 or Penang at Tel: 04-2630 330 or visit www.britishcouncil.org.my.
1f, 2c, 3a, 4i, 5h, 6j, 7g, 8b, 9d,10e.
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