Use of as though

We use the subjunctive so rarely in modern English, that it really isn't necessary to consider past/present subjunctive.

As though can be used in your first sentence with were [not really a past subjunctive, but rather a form used to show doubt] and in your second sentence with is [ to indicate simple description ].

kprichardsHe walks as though he is slightly lame.

The subjunctive is that dead we don't use it there: "He walks as though he be slightly lame." That would be the present subjunctive.

PhilipAs though can be used in your first sentence with were [not really a past subjunctive, but rather a form used to show doubt

He walks as though he were drunk.

Does to show doubt indicate that he may not be drunk?

Thanks all for sharing your thoughts.

I found the following explanation in my grammar text as one of the uses of past subjunctive:
The past subjunctive is used after as if/as though, to indicate unreality or improbability; as,
He orders me about as if I were his wife (but I am not).
He walks as though he were drunk (but he is not).

So I think Philip meant that he is n

kprichardsThanks all for sharing your thoughts.I found the following explanation in my grammar text as one of the uses of past subjunctive: The past subjunctive is used after as if/as though, to indicate as unreality or improbability;

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

He walks as thou

Yoong LiatDo native speakers observe the above distinction?

I certainly don't. In the particular case of "as though he were drunk" I would say it does not mean "but he is not", which sounds too certain, but rather "but he may be or may not be ( drunk )".

I find that native speakers and writers use just about any tense after "as i

Thanks CJ,
Richards.

Thanks, CJ,

He walks as though he is drunk.
He walks as though he were drunk.

Can I conclude that the above sentences have the same meaning to native speakers?

Yoong LiatThanks, CJ,He walks as though he is drunk.He walks as though he were drunk.Can I conclude that the above sentences have the same meaning to native speakers?

Those sentences are a little funny. "Walks" implies habitual practice, that he always walks that way. He can't be drunk 24/7 and us not know about it, and the tense is rather timeless. Let's make

Yoong LiatCan I conclude that the above sentences have the same meaning to native speakers?

For all practical purposes, yes. If you want to split hairs, for some people "were" shows that the speaker believes that "he is drunk" with less certainty. Most people pay no attention to such subtleties in ordinary conversation.

CJ