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Unit 2: English In A Minute
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Session 28

Have you been trying to understand how to use ‘as if’ and ‘as though’? Watch this week’s EIAM with Georgina who will explain.

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    Activity 1
  1. Activity 1

Activity 1

As if vs As though

Let James explain five different meanings of the verb ‘let’. Find out in our 60 second English lesson.

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Georgina

Hi, I’m Georgina from BBC Learning English. Have you ever wondered about the difference between as if and as though?

We use as if and as though to make comparisons about an imaginary situation or a possible situation that might be true.

To make comparisons about an imaginary situation, we use the past tense for the verb following as if or as though.

He acted as if he didn’t hear anything, but he did.

They feel as though they weren’t appreciated, but they were.

To make comparisons about a possible situation that might be true, we use the present tense for the verb following as if or as though.

He speaks as if he knows a lot about cooking. He must love it!

Let’s ask her for directions. She looks as though she lives here.

My stomach is rumbling as if I didn’t eat breakfast, but I did!

Bye

As if vs As though

We use  as if or as though followed by the past tense of the verb to make comparisons about an imaginary situation.

  • She spoke to me as if she didn't know me, but she does!
  • He sang as though he had no fear - but he was really scared. 

We use as if or as though followed by the present tense of the verb to make comparisons about a possible situation that might be true.

  • He spends money as if he's a millionaire. Maybe he won the lottery.
  • She talks as though she has experience of working with animals. 

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