Functions and notions

Appearances

To describe appearance we can use the following verbs + as if, as though or like: look, sound, act, behave and smell.

 

 

He

looked

sounded

acted

behaved

smelled

as if

as though

like

he had been drinking heavily.

 

Note: When look has the meaning appear, it is not usually used in the continuous.

As if and as though have exactly the same meaning.

Like is used in informal English.

With the verbs appear (meaning look) and seem, we use the following two constructions:

-appear/seem + infinitive.

-it + appear/seem + as if/as though/like.