§6.3 Clauses of comparison

Subjunctive II is used in adverbial clauses of comparison introduced by ‘as if’, ‘as though’. Present Subjunctive II shows simultaneousness, Past Subjunctive II shows priority.

e.g. He passed her in silence as if she didn’t exist.

Her lips were moving soundlessly as if she were rehearsing.

He looked at me as if he had never met me before.

He sounded breathless on the phone as if he had been running.

If the action of the subordinate clause follows the action of the principal clause ‘would’ + infinitive is used.

e.g. She sank back on her chair and began to weep as if her heart would break.

Ex. 117. Read and translate the sentences. Analyze the Moods.

1. John looked at him as if he were a three-legged chicken or a square egg. 2. He looks at me sometimes as if he were sorry for me. 3. She looked at him as if he were dirt under her feet. 4. She felt afraid as though she were here, in this house, a prisoner. 5. I had to smile as though I knew all about it. 6. When I came back they were at the corner as if they were waiting for me. 7. His eyes were set deep in their sockets, as if he had been recently ill. 8. He gazed into space as though he had seen a vision. 9. He looked ten years older, his face pale as though he hadn't slept. 10. My mouth and lips felt sticky as though I had been drinking liquid glue instead of wine. 11. He looked around as if he hardly dared utter words. 12. She gazed up at me with shining eyes as though she couldn't wait for me to begin my talk. 20. She spread her arms wide as if she would embrace them all. 21. Suddenly she stopped and stood swaying as though she would fall. 22. She paused and shut her eyes as though she would faint.

As if As though	smb did smth were could (might) do (be)
	smb had done smth had been could (might) have done (been)

Ex. 118. Fill in the blanks.

1. You talk as if you ... a man of experience. (to be) 2. He talked about art as though it ... the most important thing in the would. (to be) 3. She treated her husband as if he ... a child. (to be) 4. He looked at her as though he ... her. (not to see) 5. He withdrew his hand as though it ... . (to sting) 6. I was in the street again, breathing hard as if I ... . (to run) 7. The boy talked to him as if they ... friends ever since his first hour. (to be) 8. He fancied that she looked at him as though she ... him. (not to believe) 9. He sat through dinner as if he ... in a dream. (to be) 10. She started to her feet as though she ... a race. (to begin) 11. Then you must go home, dear, and try to behave as if nothing ... . (to happen) 12. He stared at me as though I ... my senses. (to lose) 13. You spoke just now as though he ... . (to cure) 14. Then, as if he ... it all over, the old man spoke again. (to think) 15. Oh, the Ideal Man should talk to us as if we ... goddesses, and treat us as if we ... children. (to be, to be)

Ex. 119. Finish up the sentences.

1. Не stared at her as if ... . 2. He looked around as though ... . 3. They spoke in low voices as though ... . 4. You must act as if ... . 5. He spoke in whispers as if ... . 6. She fell down on the floor as if ... . 7. She took the telegram into her hand as if ... . 8. She sat there as if ... . 9. Why are you staring at me as though ... ? 10. Don't look at me as though ... ! 11. She spoke loudly as if ... . 12. The dog cocked his ears as though ... . 13. She made the last step and stumbled and for a moment swayed as if ... .

Ex. 120. Translate into English.

1. Он огляделся, как будто искал кого-то. 2. Он смотрел на нее, словно хотел прочесть ее мысли. 3. Она остановилась, словно ожидая ответа. 4. Вы говорите так, словно знаете все лучше меня. 5. И вдруг он упал, словно его ударили по голове. 6. У нее были красные глаза, как будто она только что плакала. 7. Она не произнесла ни слова, как будто не слышала вопроса. 8. Они тяжело дышали, словно всю дорогу бежали бегом. 9. Она говорила так, словно была вполне счастлива. 10. Она вдруг остановилась, словно увидела что-то на тропинке. 11. Почему ты говоришь так, как будто вчера ничего не произошло? 12. Он стоял, словно ожидая, что она заговорит первой. 13. Он стоял, словно окаменел, словно никакая сила не могла бы сдвинуть его с места. 14. Они смотрели на чужаков, словно те собирались броситься на них.

Ex. 121. Respond to the utterances using Subjunctive II in adverbial clauses of comparison.

Model: – All thought you'd never come.

– You speak as if you did not believe me, I never break up my promise.

1. I thought I should find you here. 2. I don't know what you are saying. 3. What have you been up to since I saw you last? 4. Why are you sniggering at me? 5. They have been worried about you lately. 6. Have you tried to get in touch with him? 7. I felt sure you'd like to have the latest news of her. 8. It's raining, we'll get soaked. 9. Did you hear all that we were saying? 10. "Come along, quickly." 11. You said yourself a moment ago that he was extremely well. 12. Paul seemed to have no objection. 13. I couldn't stop laughing. 14. I must rush for my bus. 15. I am so happy. 16. Why should she change the conversation? 17. Did you notice the way she stared at me?

Ex. 122. Translate into English.

1. Он рассмеялся, как будто бы я сказал что-нибудь смешное. А я говорил совершенно серьезно. 2. Она рассказывает о Петербурге так, как будто бы прожила там всю жизнь. На самом деле она провела там всего две недели. 3. Она танцует так хорошо, как будто бы она настоящая балерина. 4. Мать обращается с ним так, как будто бы он маленький ребенок, хотя ему уже за двадцать. 5. Она разговаривает с ним так, как будто бы они знают друг друга целую вечность. 6. Они посмотрели друг на друга, как будто хотели сказать, что оба отлично понимают серьезность своего положения. 7. Она так удивленно посмотрела на него, как будто бы видела его впервые. 8. Не говори со мной так громко, как будто бы я глухая. Я хорошо тебя слышу. 9. Дул такой сильный ветер и было так холодно, как будто бы на улице был январь, а не апрель. 10. Ребенок слушал сказку внимательно, как будто бы боялся пропустить хоть одно слово. 11. Перед грозой все стихло и потемнело, как будто бы наступил вечер. 12. Ребенок горько плакал, как будто бы его кто-то ударил. 14. Она надулась на меня, как будто бы я сказал что-то обидное. Я совсем не хотел ее обидеть. 15. Он внезапно замолчал, как будто бы ему пришла в голову блестящая идея.16. Он запыхался, как будто бы он бежал всю дорогу домой. 17. Он тяжело вздохнул, как будто бы вспомнил что-то очень неприятное. 18. Он потер лоб, как будто бы старался что-то вспомнить.