As if vs As though - English In A Minute

BBC Learning English

93

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 have any breakfast,