As if / as though There is no difference between as if and as though.

1. Real and unreal.

The tense here depends on whether the comparison is true or unreal:

He acts as if he were in charge. (He isn’t in charge.)

He acts as if he is in charge. (He is in charge.)

The difference is clearer with obviously unreal comparisons:

You look as if you had just seen a ghost!

In everyday speech, there is often no obvious difference made. Present and past references are both possible.

2. As if / as though + past subjunctive.

The past subjunctive can be used after as if / as though to indicate unreality or improbability or doubt in the present:

He behaves as if he owned the place. (But he doesn’t own it or probably doesn’t own it or we don’t know whether he owns it or not.)

He orders me as if I were his wife. (But I am not.)

The verb preceding as if / as though can be put into a past tense without changing the tense of the subjunctive:

He talks/talked as if he knew where she was.

3. After as if / as though we use a past perfect when referring to a real or imaginary action in the past:

He talks/talked about Rome as though he had been there himself. (But he hasn’t or probably hasn’t or we don’t know whether he has or not.)

4. After as if / as though we use would + infinitive if the action of the clause follows the action of the principal clause:

She began to weep as if her heart would break.

84. Put the verbs in brackets in the most suitable form.

1. The leaves of the book were so yellow and worn out that it seemed as if it (publish) a hundred years ago. 2. Where could I have met him? But he certainly looks as if he (expect) me to speak to him. 3. Why do you always treat me as if I (be) a backward child of twelve? 4. She kept trying on hat after hat as if she (not/make up) her mind from the very beginning which one she would take. 5. They were very nice to me and said that I spoke French as if I (be) a Frenchman or (spend) most of my life over there. 6. And all of a sudden she felt as though it (be) the only thing that mattered. 7. Don’t you feel as though it (may/go on) forever? 8. She could discuss the latest novel as though she (read) it. 9. The paper was dirty, yellow and puckered as if it (leave) out in the rain. 10. She sat huddled in the armchair as if the last energy (leave) her. 11. They talked as if they (know) each other for ever so many years and this (not/be) the first time they met. 12. She seemed greatly surprised as though she never (see) anything of the kind before. 13. It seemed as though what was going around him (be) of little, if any interest. 14. Suddenly it began to grow dark as if dusk (set in). 15. They spoke about the book as though they themselves (be) the authors of it or (write) many others. 16. He felt awkward as if everyone (look) at him. 17. He looked as if he (be going) to say something but (change) his mind. 18. She said this as if she (be) a great authority on the matter. 19. It was as though nothing (happen). 20. He asked me funny questions, it was as if he (not to follow) the story. 21. He didn't pay attention to her cutting remarks as though he (to be used) to being treated like that. 22. She walked proudly as though the world (to belong) to her. 23. She looked as if she (to hurt) by his remark. 24. The line between his eyes deepened as if he (to puzzle) over something. 25. They looked as if they (to be) brother and sister but not husband and wife, so much alike they were. 26. She was crying as if her heart (to break). 27. They treated her as if she (to be) a little girl. 28. They met him as if they (to expect) him. 29. He introduced her to his brother as though they (not to meet) before. 30. I felt funny as if I (to start) crying at any moment. 31. She sounded quite cheerful over the telephone as if she (to look) forward to the trip. 32. The house looked as though it (not to see) paint for a long time. 33. She was listening to me as if she (to annoy). 34. His manner was cheerful as ever as if nothing (to happen).