Subjunctive II in adverbial clauses of comparison.

Subjunctive II is used in adverbial clauses of comparison introduced by the conjunctions as if and as though. If the action of the subordinate clause is simultaneous with that of the principal clause the Past Subjunctive of the verb to be is used; with other verbs the same meaning is expressed by the Past Indefinite of the Indicative Mood. If the action of the subordinate clause is prior to that of the principal clause the Past Subjunctive (the Past Perfect) of the Indicative Mood is used.

do, did will do

as though as if

sb. were sb. had been sb. did sth. sb. had done sth.

E.g. She spoke as if she knew everything.

E.g. They spoke as though nothing had happened.

E.g. He treats her as if she were a piece of furniture.

Exercise 76. Complete the sentences using Subjunctive II.

1. The boy was shifting form one foot to the other as if … .

2. He greeted her as if … .

3. She inquired about his health as if … .

4. You will be treated as if … .

5. He ate so greedily as if … .

6. He touched her hand lightly as if … .

7. The girl was daydreaming as if … .

8. She was in such a hurry as if … .

9. Why are you laughing as if … ?

10. He was particularly cruel as if … .

11. She shuddered as if … .

12. Cathy stared at me as if … .

Exercise 77. Translate into English using your Active Grammar.

1. Послушай, нельзя относиться к каждой неудаче, как будто это катастрофа. Все наладится. 2. Они удивленно уставились на нее, как будто видели ее в первый раз. 3. Она говорит о своей поездке так, как будто это самое впечатляющее событие ее жизни. 4. Не переживай, у нее просто такой характер. Завтра она будет вести себя, как будто не было никакой ссоры. – Тогда я тоже притворюсь, что ничего не случилось. 5. Почему ты всегда обращаешься с ней так, как будто она маленькая девочка? 6. Она всегда берет с собой так много вещей, как будто она не может прожить без этих мелочей. 7. Он все говорит и говорит! Он ведет себя так, как будто всем приятно выслушивать его мнение! 8. Все говорят об этом фильме, как будто это какое-то чудо. 9. Она уверенно повернула направо, как будто уже бывала в этом здании раньше. 10. Этот преподаватель говорит о своем предмете, как будто он самый главный в учебной программе.

Subjunctive II in predicative clauses after the verbs of being and seeming.

Subjunctive II is used in predicative clauses after the link verbs of being and seeming (to be, to feel, to look, to seem), the conjunctions as if and as though are used to connect the principal and the predicative clause.

be feel look sound seem

as though as if

sb. were sb. had been sb. did sth. sb. had done sth.

E.g. She looks as though she saw something terrible.

E.g. You sound as if you had been there.

Exercise 78. Make up sentences.

He looks He looked He will look

as if as though

he were ill. he knew her. he were interested in it. he were sure of it. he were afraid of us. he were tired.

Exercise 79. Make up sentences.

He looks He looked He will look

as if as though

he had sent her a letter long ago. he had got interested in the problem. he had done it himself. he had translated this article long ago. he had had a long rest. he had lived in the South. his life had been ruined.

Exercise 80. Complete the sentences using your Active Grammar.

Model: Why do you look as if …? – Why do you look as if you had been robbed?

1. When we met him next morning he looked as if … .

2. They were excited as if … .

3. After a fortnight she looked as if … .

4. Your words sound as if … .

5. How can you look as if … ?

6. After that long bus ride she felt as if … .

7. Don’t worry, it’ll seem as if … .

8. You always make it look as if … .

9. Don’t you feel as if … ?

10. He was so fond of his pet that it seemed as if … .

11. Judging by the first impression, it looks as if … .

12. Why do you sound as if … ?

Exercise 81. Translate into English using your Active Grammar.

1. Он выглядел так, как будто ему это наскучило до смерти. 2. Оттепель длилась неделю, и москвичи чувствовали, словно началась весна. 3. Она чувствовала, словно они ожидали от нее объяснений. 4. Твои слова прозвучали так, как будто ты умышленно скрыл все недостатки. 5. Там столько прекрасных растений! Мы чувствовали, словно мы были в саду, а не в помещении. 6. Казалось, она безмятежно спит. 7. Каждый преподаватель чувствует, как будто предмет, который он преподает, самый важный в программе. 8. Тсс! Разве тебе не кажется, словно кто-то крадется? 9. Дом выглядел так, как будто ни один человек не был здесь за все 10 лет. 10. Это прозвучит так, как будто мы заранее ожидали их приезда.