0
Marold Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

As if he had slept vs. As if he slept

What is the difference between these two instances?

(1) "He behaved as if he had slept with a hundred women." --- (Taken from the book The Godfather)

(2) "He behaved as if he slept with a hundred women"

and

(a) "He behaves as if he sleeps with a hundred women."

(b) "He behaves as if he slept slept with a hundred women."

Are these sentences even possible to use?
(I am sorry for not that appropriate sentences in the meaning ;-)...)

Thanks a lot in advance.
  

Top answer

The expression "as if" is extremely forgiving as to the tense permitted in the clause that follows it. Any of your sentences might be seen or heard (absent the accidental repetition of 'slept' in b). Grammarians generally recommend 1 for the past and b for the present.

— CalifJim

  • The expression "as if" is extremely forgiving as to the tense permitted in the clause that follows it.
  • Any of your sentences might be seen or heard (absent the accidental repetition of 'slept' in b).
  • Grammarians generally recommend 1 for the past and b for the present.
  • Both of these are written so as to discount the truth of the second clause.
  • CJ
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0
The expression "as if" is extremely forgiving as to the tense permitted in the clause that follows it. Any of your sentences might be seen or heard (absent the accidental repetition of 'slept' in b). Grammarians generally recommend 1 for the past and b for the present. Both of these are written so as to discount the truth of the second clause.

CJ
0

Related Questions