一、基本用法
以as if (as though)引導(dǎo)的方式狀語從句或表語從句,有時(shí)用虛擬語氣,若表示與現(xiàn)在事實(shí)相反,謂語動(dòng)詞用一般過去時(shí);若表示與過去事實(shí)相反,用過去完成時(shí);表示將來的可能性不大,用would (might, could)+動(dòng)詞原形:
He acts as if he knew me. 他顯得認(rèn)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(jīng)出過國。
二、兩點(diǎn)說明
(1) 從句所表示的內(nèi)容若為事實(shí)或可能為事實(shí),也可用陳述語氣:
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(jīng)壞了。
在現(xiàn)代英語中,有時(shí)即使從句內(nèi)容不是事實(shí),也可能用陳述語氣:
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:
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。