We will not appear like fools in this matter, and as if we have no authority over our own daughter.—Richardson.
This may be accounted for, but not justified, as an attempt to express what should be merely imph'cd, our actual possession of authority.
As if the fruit or the flower not only depends on a root as one of the conditions among others of its development, but is itself actually the root.—Morley.
This is absolutely indefensible so far as is is concerned; depends has the same motive as have in the Richardson.
But this looks as if he has included the original 30,000 men.—Times.
There have been rumours lately, as if the present state of the nation may seem to this species of agitators a favourable period for recommencing their intrigues.—Scott.
This is a place where as if should not have been used at all. If it is used; the verb should be seemed, not may seem, the full form being as there would be (rumours). Read suggesting that for as if, and seems for may seem.
General Linevitch reports that the army is concentrating as if it intends to make a stand.—Times.
A mixture between it apparently intends and as if it intended.
As if the same end may not, and must not, be compassed, according to its circumstances, by a great diversity of ways.—Burke.
May should be might. As if it may not is made to do the work of as if it might not, as of course it may.
The same rule applies to as though.
The use of true subjunctive forms (if he be, though it happen) in conditional sentences is for various reasons not recommended. These forms, with the single exception of were, are perishing so rapidly that an experienced word-actuary[1] puts their expectation of life at one generation. As a matter of style, they should be avoided, being certain to give a pretentious air when handled by any one except the skilful and practised writers who need no advice from us. And as a matter of grammar, the instinct for using subjunc-
- ↑ Dr. Henry Bradley, The Making of English, p. 53.
