Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 118 · B2

like as if

Look like, sound as if and feel as though say how something seems; it looks like and it sounds as if describe a situation; and as if + past describes something unreal, as in he talks as if he knew everything.

Start the lesson

12Steps · about 17 minutes

In this lesson

looks like, sounds as if, feels as thoughA1 screen of questions
it looks like, it sounds as ifB2 screens of questions
How somebody does somethingC2 screens of questions
as if + past for something unrealD1 screen of questions

Point A of 4

looks like, sounds as if, feels as though

Use like or as if (or as though) to say how somebody or something looks, sounds or feels.

Compare look + adjective (You look tired) with look like / as if + subject + verb (You look as if you haven't slept).

  • That fence looks like it's about to blow over.
  • That fence looks as if it's about to blow over.
  • Amira sounded like she'd been crying, didn't she?
  • I slept for ten hours, but I don't feel like I've slept at all.
  • I don't feel as though I've slept at all.
  • You look tired.
  • You look as if you've just run a marathon.

Point A · Exercise 118.1

What would you say? Use the words in brackets.

  1. Example

    You meet Bill. His arm is in a sling and he has a bruise on his cheek.

    (look / like / have / an accident)

    You look like you've had an accident.

    AnswerYou look like you've had an accident.

  2. Claire comes into the room looking absolutely terrified.

    What's the matter? (look / as if / see / a ghost)

  3. You've only run one kilometre, but you're exhausted.

    (feel / like / run / a marathon)

  4. Joe is at a festival. He rings you, laughing and shouting over the music.

    (sound / as if / enjoy / yourself)

Point B of 4

it looks like, it sounds as if

We say it looks like / as if and it sounds like / as if about a situation.

  • The bus is twenty minutes late. It looks like it isn't coming.
  • It looked as if it might snow, so we packed our gloves.
  • Listen to that cheering. It sounds like they've scored a goal.
  • It sounds as though they've scored a goal.

Point B · Exercise 118.2 · part 1 of 2

Make sentences beginning It looks like ... or It sounds like ..., using: you need a holiday; someone has broken in; they're celebrating; it's going to snow; he's missed the train; they've sold out.

  1. Example

    Your brother was due on the 6.15 train. It's now 6.40 and he isn't here.

    You say:

    It looks like he's missed the train.

    AnswerIt looks like he's missed the train.

  2. The sky is heavy and grey, and it's below freezing.

    You say:

  3. You hear music, cheering and the pop of corks from next door.

    You say:

  4. You get home and find the back door open and drawers pulled out.

    You say:

  5. You and a friend are in a shop looking for the new game, but the shelf is empty.

    You say:

Point B · Exercise 118.2 · part 2 of 2

Make sentences beginning It looks like ... or It sounds like ..., using: you need a holiday; someone has broken in; they're celebrating; it's going to snow; he's missed the train; they've sold out.

  1. A colleague tells you how stressed and exhausted they are.

    You say:

Point C of 4

How somebody does something

Like, as if and as though can follow other verbs to say how somebody does something.

  • He ran like he was being chased by a bull.
  • After the fire alarm, the speaker carried on as if nothing had happened.
  • When I suggested a swim in the sea in February, they stared at me as though I'd lost my mind.

Point C · Exercise 118.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with as if and one of these, putting the verb in the right form: she / love / it; I / be / joking; he / not / sleep / for days; he / need / a holiday; she / twist / her ankle; he / not / believe / me; I / be / invisible; she / not / want / help.

  1. Example

    Mark has been yawning all afternoon. He seems as if he needs a holiday.

    AnswerMark has been yawning all afternoon. He seems as if he needs a holiday.

  2. I told Paul the truth, but he frowned. He looked .

  3. What's wrong with Lisa? She's limping .

  4. Paul had huge bags under his eyes. He looked .

  5. I watched Sarah on the roller coaster. She was grinning from ear to ear. She looked .

Point C · Exercise 118.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with as if and one of these, putting the verb in the right form: she / love / it; I / be / joking; he / not / sleep / for days; he / need / a holiday; she / twist / her ankle; he / not / believe / me; I / be / invisible; she / not / want / help.

  1. I told my friends I was quitting my job to become a clown. They laughed .

  2. I offered to help Kate with the bags, but she shook her head. She looked .

  3. I stood at the bar for ten minutes, but the staff served everyone else .

Point D of 4

as if + past for something unreal

After as if, we sometimes use the past about the present. The meaning is not past: the past shows the idea is not real. The same happens with if and wish (Unit 39). Like is not normally used this way.

You can use were instead of was.

  • I find him exhausting. He behaves as if he owned the place. (he doesn't)
  • My boss keeps piling on more work, as if I wasn't busy enough already.
  • Kate's only fifty. Why do you treat her as if she was ancient?
  • Why do you treat her as if she were ancient?
  • My neighbours fuss over me as though I were part of the family. (I'm not)

Point D · Exercise 118.4

Complete each sentence with as if, using the past for an idea that is not real.

  1. Example

    Our neighbour is a reckless cyclist. On the pavement he rides as if he owned it.

    AnswerOur neighbour is a reckless cyclist. On the pavement he rides as if he owned it.

  2. I'm twenty, so please don't talk to me .

  3. Steve met the singer once, years ago, but he talks about her .

  4. We first met years ago, but I remember it .

Lesson 118 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: during for whileBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. looks like, sounds as if, feels as though–Not checkedB. it looks like, it sounds as if–Not checkedC. How somebody does something–Not checkedD. as if + past for something unreal–Not checked