English grammar
As if / as though + past simple
Describe something by comparing it with an imagined situation.
From the scene As if it were a palace
In short
As if or as though compares reality with something imagined, and takes the past simple: as if this were a palace.
Your turn
Which one goes with it's as if + were?
Options: you talk as if you didn't care · it's as if we were in Versailles · she decorated as if this were a palace
Show answer
it's as if + were → it's as if we were in Versailles
How it works
As if (or as though) compares reality with something imagined, and takes the past simple even when you mean now: you talk as if you didn't care.
Good to know
With be, careful English uses were: as if this were a palace (was is also common in speech).
as if + were she decorated as if this were a palace
it's as if + were it's as if we were in Versailles
Javi
With this lamp, it's as if we were in Versailles.
Con esta lámpara, es como si estuviéramos en Versalles.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
With this lamp, (blank).
Options: you talk as if you didn't care · it's as if we were in Versailles · she decorated as if this were a palace
Show answer
Javi
With this lamp, it's as if we were in Versailles.
Con esta lámpara, es como si estuviéramos en Versalles.
as if + past simple you talk as if you didn't care
Nuria
Don't even think about it! You talk as if you didn't care about anything.
¡Ni se te ocurra! Hablas como si no te importara nada.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Don't even think about it! (blank) about anything.
Options: You talk as if you didn't care · She decorated as if this were a palace · It's as if we were in Versailles
Show answer
Nuria
Don't even think about it! You talk as if you didn't care about anything.
¡Ni se te ocurra! Hablas como si no te importara nada.
as if + were (I) I'll sit here as if I were a king
Javi
OK, OK, it stays. And I'll sit here as if I were a king.
Bueno, bueno, se quedan. Y yo me siento aquí como si fuera un rey.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
OK, OK, it stays. And (blank).
Options: I'll sit here as if I were a king · She decorated as if this were a palace · It's as if we were in Versailles
Show answer
Javi
OK, OK, it stays. And I'll sit here as if I were a king.
Bueno, bueno, se quedan. Y yo me siento aquí como si fuera un rey.
Common mistake
Not would be or is here. As if + past.
His mother decorated as if this were a palace.
Su madre decoraba como si esto fuera un palacio.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| as if + were | she decorated as if this were a palace |
|---|---|
| it's as if + were | it's as if we were in Versailles |
| as if + past simple | you talk as if you didn't care |
| as if + were (I) | I'll sit here as if I were a king |
More lines from the story
- NuriaHis mother decorated as if this were a palace.Su madre decoraba como si esto fuera un palacio.
- NuriaLook at this furniture. It's ancient.Mira estos muebles tan antiguos.
- NuriaVery well, Your Majesty. Now the king does the dusting.Muy bien, majestad. Ahora el rey limpia el polvo.