一、基本用法
以as if (as though)引导的方式状语从句或表语从句,有时用虚拟语气。
当说话者认为句子所述的是真实的或极有可能发生或存在的事实时。
如: It sounds as if it is raining. 听起来像是在下雨。
He talks as if he isdrunk. 从他谈话的样子来看他是醉了。
as if 从句用虚拟语气的情况是当说话人认为句子所述的是不真实的或极少有可能发生或
存在的情况时。从句虚拟语气动词时态的形式如下:
(1)如果从句表示与现在事实相反,谓语动词用一般过去时
如: You look as if youdidn” t care. 你看上去好像并不在乎。
He talks as if he knew where shewas.他说话的样子,好像他知道她在哪里似的。
(2)从句表示与过去事实相反,谓语动词用“had+过去分词”。
如: He talks about Romeas if he had been there before. 他说起罗马来好像他以前去过罗马似的。
The girl listened as if shehad been turned to stone. 那女孩倾听着,一动也不动,像已经变成了石头似的。
(3)从句表示与将来事实相反,谓语动词用“would/could/might+动词原形”。
如: Heopened his mouth as if he would say something. 他张开嘴好像要说什么。
It looks as if it mightsnow.看来好像要下雪了。
二、两点说明
(1) 从句所表示的内容若为事实或可能为事实,也可用陈述语气:
It looks as if we’ll be late. 我们似乎要迟到了。
This meat tastes as if it has already gone bad.这肉吃起来似乎已经坏了。
在现代英语中,有时即使从句内容不是事实,也可能用陈述语气:
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 realone. 玩具狗叫起来像真狗。
(2) 注意 It isn’t as if…的翻译:
It isn’t as if he were poor. 他不像穷的样子(或他又不穷)。
It isn’t as if you were going away for good.又不是你离开不回来了。