Like/ as though/ as if

Like/ as though/ as if

Like means the same form, appearance, kind, character and is usually followed by a noun or a noun phrase. It is often static, quite like other verbs – seems, looks, and acts.

E.g.

She is like a younger sister to me and we easily share secrets.

Or, She is like my soul mate and we share all our secrets with each other.

As if a conjunction and means something like `as it would be if’ or `as one should do’.

E.g.

On his death, it was as if she had lost her best friend.

Or, She ran as if a tiger was chasing her.

As though and as if are sometimes used in place of each other. But the actual meaning of as though is to indicate something is unlikely or should not be considered.

E.g. You are giving me the document as though it will be of any use to me.
Or, He looked at me as though he knew where it is.

Test your understanding - Choose the correct sentence from the pair of sentences given below

1.
a. The day passed slowly as if it would never end.
b. The day passed slowly as though it would never end.

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2.
a. She was looking intently at me as if she was giving me a signal to leave the room.
b. She was looking intently at me as though she was giving me a signal to leave the room.

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3.
a. Manoj and Parv behave as though they are two monitors in the class, yet the teacher did not appoint them.
b. Manoj and Parv behave like they are two monitors in the class, yet the teacher did not appoint them

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4.
a. She picked up my mobile like she was doing me a favour. I could have easily picked it up.
b. She picked up my mobile as if she was doing me a favour. I could have easily picked it up.

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5.
a. It seems as if the news correspondent had one more question to ask of the Minister.
b. It seems like the news correspondent had one more question to ask of the Minister.

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