Clauses of Manner

As if / As though

Ο past simple εκφράζει μια μη πραγματική κατάσταση στο παρόν:

• He looks as if he knew the answer. (he gives the impression that he knows the answer, but he (probably) doesn't know or we don't know whether he knows or not)

However, if the situation is true, we use a real tense to express present time:

• He looks as if he knows the answer. (he knows the answer)

Consequently, the meaning of this sentence (whether he knew the answer or not) can only be deduced from the context.


O past perfect simple εκφράζει μια μη πραγματική κατάσταση στο παρελθόν:

• He seemed as if he hadn't slept for days.

However, If the situation is true, we use a real tense to express past time:

• He seems as if he hasn't slept for days. (he hasn't slept for days)

Consequently, the meaning of this sentence (whether he knew the answer or not) can only be deduced from the context.



NOTE:

1. We can use both as if and as though followed by a non-finite clause or a prepositional phrase:

• She moved her lips as if to smile.
• They were shouting as though in panic.

2. Τα as if και as though συνήθως ακολουθούνται από τα ρήματα όπως τα

act

appear

be

behave

feel

look

seem

smell

sound

taste

• She felt as if all her worries had gone.
• They felt as though they had been given the wrong information.
• I’ve got so much work it looks as if I’ll have to stay at home this evening. 
• He sounds as if he has spent all his life abroad. 

 

 

 

3. Μπορούμε να χρησιμοποιήσουμε το were αντί για το was σε όλα τα πρόσωπα. 

• He spends his money as if / as though he were / was a millionaire.

 

 

4. Το like μπορει να αντικαταστήσει τα as if / as though στον καθημερινό λόγο.

 

 

 

 

 

ΧΡΗΣΙΜΕΣ ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΕΣ

like /as though / as if

The word like should never be used before a clause.

Example 1 (incorrect usage): It looks like it will rain. NO

Like should be used before a noun only, as in the following example:

Example 2 (correct usage): The girl looks like her mother.

Take a close look at the two sentences above. Do you see the difference in how they are used? In the first sentence, like is followed by the clause it will rain. In the second sentence, like is followed by her mother. Whenever a subject and verb follow, remember to substitute like with either as though or as if, as illustrated in the final example below.

Example 3 (correct): It looks as if it will rain.

As... Like... As if/ as though...

1. LIKE + noun or pronoun:

• Ressemblance between people or objects:

Your daughter isn't blond and like her father. She's more like you!

• Description of a person, an object, a place :

What's your car like? It's big, white... and it's brand new!

• In the expression : to feel like + gerund: to crave for...

I really feel like having a good rest.


2. AS  + clause  (subject + verb) and  AS + preposition.

-  It all happened as in a real nightmare. 

-  As he told you, he's never late.

-  Do as you're told, and don't discuss, please!

 

 * in front of a title or a profession:
As a doctor, he ordered you to stop smoking because of your asthma...

 

 * the verbs : 'to regard', ‘to consider'  = followed by ‘as'.
He's considered as the best pianist of his generation.

 

                                                                                    

 

3) AS IF/AS THOUGH = used after look, seem and feel to express an impression.

       -  He looks as if he's having a good time!

        
*or  modal preterite indicating a supposition;

       -  He behaves as if he were the boss (implies that he isn't = unreal mode).