as if / as though
as if / as though means “As if / as though: to say something looks or seems like something else, often with an unreal past to show it is not true”. As if and as though mean the same thing and describe how something seems. Formation: as if / as though + past simple (or past perfect)
As if / as though: to say something looks or seems like something else, often with an unreal past to show it is not true
B1Formation
as if / as though + past simple (or past perfect)
Explanation
As if and as though mean the same thing and describe how something seems. When the comparison is unreal or unlikely, we shift the tense back: He talks as if he knew everything (but he doesn't). For something that clearly did not happen, use the past perfect: She looked as though she had seen a ghost. If the situation may really be true, a normal present tense is also possible: It looks as if it's going to rain.
Examples
Note
In casual speech, like is often used instead: He acts like he owns the place. This is fine in conversation but avoided in formal writing.
FAQ
as if / as though — what does it mean and how is it used?
As if / as though: to say something looks or seems like something else, often with an unreal past to show it is not true. As if and as though mean the same thing and describe how something seems. When the comparison is unreal or unlikely, we shift the tense back: He talks as if he knew everything (but he doesn't). For something that clearly did not happen, use the past perfect: She looked as though she had seen a ghost. If the situation may really be true, a normal present tense is also possible: It looks as if it's going to rain.
as if / as though — how do you form it?
as if / as though + past simple (or past perfect)
as if / as though — any usage notes?
In casual speech, like is often used instead: He acts like he owns the place. This is fine in conversation but avoided in formal writing.