Conjunctions,Special Remarks,as if,as though - Parts Of Speech-ESL/Learn English Grammar

Read More | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |


SPECIAL REMARKS

[Sidenote: As if.]

301. _As if_ is often used as one conjunction of manner, but really
there is an ellipsis between the two words; thus,--

But thy soft murmuring
Sounds sweet _as if_ a sister's voice reproved.
--BYRON.


If analyzed, the expression would be, "sounds sweet _as_ [the sound
would be] _if_ a sister's voice reproved;" _as_, in this case,
expressing degree if taken separately.

But the ellipsis seems to be lost sight of frequently in writing, as
is shown by the use of _as though_.

[Sidenote: As though.]

302. In Emerson's sentence, "We meet, and part _as though_ we parted
not," it cannot be said that there is an ellipsis: it cannot mean "we
part _as_ [we should part] _though_" etc.

Consequently, _as if_ and _as though_ may be taken as double
conjunctions expressing manner. _As though_ seems to be in as wide use
as the conjunction _as if_; for example,--

Do you know a farmer who acts and lives _as though_ he believed
one word of this?--H GREELEY.

His voice ... sounded _as though_ it came out of a
barrel.--IRVING.

Blinded alike from sunshine and from rain,
_As though_ a rose should shut, and be a bud again.
--KEATS

Examples might be quoted from almost all authors.

[Sidenote: As _for_ as if.]

303. In poetry, _as_ is often equivalent to _as if_.

And their orbs grew strangely dreary,
Clouded, even _as_ they would weep.
--EMILY BRONTE.

So silently we seemed to speak,
So slowly moved about,
_As_ we had lent her half our powers
To eke her living out.
--HOOD.


Read More | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |