How to use As if and As though

These conjunctions indicate something unreal or contrary to fact and thus are very similar in form to conditional sentences. The verb which follows these conjunctions must be in the past tense or past perfect. Remember the that the past tense of be in a contrary to fact statement must be were and never was.

As if and As though make up structure

Subject + verb (present) + (as if, as though) + subject + verb (past)………….

• The old lady dresses as if it were winter even in the summer. (It is not winter.)
• Angelique walks as thought she studied modeling. (She didn’t study modeling.)
• He acts as though he were rich. (He is not rich.) 

               
                         Subject + verb (past) + (as if, as though) + subject + verb (past perfect)………..

• Betty talked about the contest as if she had won the grand prize. (She didn’t win the grand prize.)
• Jeff looked as if he had seen a ghost. (He didn’t see ghost.)
• He looked as though he had run ten miles. (He didn’t run ten miles.)

Note: The two preceding rules apply only when as if or as though indicates a contrary to face meaning. At times, they do not have that meaning and then would not be followed by these tenses.

• He looks as if he has finished the test. (Perhaps he has finished.)
• He looked as though he was leaving. (Perhaps he was leaving.)

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