It's almost as if vs It's as if...

Question

Hi all, please help me clarify the meaning of "It's almost as if" and "It's as if".  Are they both interchangeable? Thank you.

Philip · Accepted Answer

Essentially they are used interchangeably without distinction by most people; adding almost weakens the comparison by just a bit.

Anonymous · Answer

How about "It's almost like.."

Philip · Answer

AnonymousHow about "It's almost like.."

The same, in general usage. However, there are still some grammarians who insist that 'like' should be used with an adjective and 'as' with an adverb.

Anonymous · Answer

I  saw an advertisement long time ago that says "Got milk?" Now, my question is why not "Have milk?" instead. Can you explain the difference esp in American English...Thanks

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI saw an advertisement long time ago that says "Got milk?" Now, my question is why not "Have milk?" instead.

"Got milk?" is a shorter form of "Have you got milk?", which has exactly the same meaning as "Do you have milk?"

"Got" is more commonly used in the given context, and it has a more sparkly sound to it, anyway. Besides, the advertisers don't want any confusion with another use of "have", namely, "consume". "I had milk" ~ "I drank milk". So "Have milk?" can have the meaning of "Do you drink milk?", and that's not what the advertisers want to ask. In the final analysis "got" is much better than "have" in this context.

(AmE)

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

So when speaking about possession,  'got/have got' and 'have' can both be used for whoever posseses the thing or person in question. Please correct me if I'm wrong, cause I would've thought they're used differently like for non personal and personal belonging.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI would've thought they're used differently like for non personal and personal belonging.

You may be right, but I don't quite understand your question. Can you please give examples of personal and non-personal belonging as you are using those terms here?

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Maybe private or non private thing/person would be more appropriate term for that question?...For instance:

Do you have xerox in here?
(Have you) Got zerox in here?

Do you have an uncle?
(Have you) Got an uncle?

(Have you) Got a watch?
Do you have a watch?

She has any kids?
(Has) she got any kids?

Do you have a sister?
Got a sister?

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousMaybe private or non private thing/person would be more appropriate term for that question?

You didn't label them, so I can only guess that you are considering the first of each pair to be non-private and the second private. That's not the right way to classify these.

1. Just Got ...? is extremely casual. It's only used in quick conversation between friends, and the typical word after "got" represents some kind of inanimate tool or supply of some kind, including food items. Got a hammer? Got a cigarette? Got sugar? ... Often the speaker expects the listener to have the requested item and to give it to the speaker. Got a sister? or Got an uncle? is completely out of keeping with this usage. This form would never be used in formal writing.

2. Have you got ...? is a possible substitute for all the cases listed under 1. It's just less abbreviated, and it's used in speaking with almost anyone informally. This one can be used with animates, and it does not emphasize utility, as in 1. For example, Have you got a sister? is OK.

3. Do you have ... ? covers all the cases in 1. and 2. as well as all other cases in general. Let's say it's way of communicating with others which sounds smoother and more educated than the previous two phrasings. I recommend using this form when speaking with anyone you don't know well.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Crystal clear explanation. Thank you.

It's almost as if vs It's as if...

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