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Kihkima Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
As if + is (??)
We may, in some cases, never know who assaulted us, because they act as if they are your best friends.
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I learnt that when we use 'as if' , the Be-verb should be 'were', not 'are' or 'is'
But in this sentence, be-verb is used as 'are',
So when I use 'as if' , can I also use be-verb as 'are' or 'is' freely? Or are there some restrictions?
(Hope to see some examples from dictionary)
Thank you.
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I learnt that when we use 'as if' , the Be-verb should be 'were', not 'are' or 'is'
But in this sentence, be-verb is used as 'are',
So when I use 'as if' , can I also use be-verb as 'are' or 'is' freely? Or are there some restrictions?
(Hope to see some examples from dictionary)
Thank you.
Top answer
She looks as if she is rich. ) He talks as if he was rich. ) In a formal style, were can be used instead of was in an 'unreal' comparison.
- She looks as if she is rich.
- ) He talks as if he was rich.
- ) In a formal style, were can be used instead of was in an 'unreal' comparison.
- This is common in American English.
- 76), Practical English Usage ,, 3rd edition, OUP
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2 Answers
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She looks as if she is rich. (Perhaps she is.)
He talks as if he was rich. (But he is definitely not.)
In a formal style, were can be used instead of was in an 'unreal' comparison. This is common in American English.
He talks as if he was rich. (But he is definitely not.)
In a formal style, were can be used instead of was in an 'unreal' comparison. This is common in American English.
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kihkimaSo when I use 'as if' , can I also use be-verb as 'are' or 'is' freely?"as if" is treated much more freely than just "if". The restriction is somewhat general. Your sentence must have a coherent meaning no matter which tense you use.
CJ
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