一、基本用法
以as if (as though)引導的方式狀語從句或表語從句,有時用虛擬語氣,若表示與現在事實相反,謂語動詞用一般過去時;若表示與過去事實相反,用過去完成時;表示將來的可能性不大,用would (might, could)+動詞原形。如:
He acts as if he knew me. 他顯得認識我似的。
They treat me as though I were a stranger. 他們待我如陌生人。
He talks as if he had been abroad. 他說起話來好像曾經出過國。
二、用法注意
(1) 從句所表示的內容若為事實或可能為事實,也可用陳述語氣。如:
It looks as if we’ll be late. 我們似乎要遲到了。
This meat tastes as if it has already gone bad. 這肉吃起來似乎已經壞了。
在現代英語中,有時即使從句內容不是事實,也可能用陳述語氣。如:
I feel as if [as though] I’m floating on air. 他感到好像漂浮在空中。
The stuffed dog barked as if it is [were, was] a real one. 玩具狗叫起來像真狗。
(2) 注意 It isn’t as if…的翻譯。如(from www.nmet168.com):
It isn’t as if he were poor. 他不像窮的樣子(或他又不窮)。
It isn’t as if you were going away for good. 又不是你離開不回來了。