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.