as if to assert

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as if to assert" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is behaving or speaking in a way that suggests they are making a statement or claim. Example: "He spoke loudly, as if to assert his dominance in the conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Higher up a series of market-rate apartments have private terraces, as if to assert their independence.

The New York Times - Arts

As if to assert their control over Trenton in her absence, the Legislators contended he lied under oath in his 1999 confirmation hearings about his response to profiling when he was state attorney general.

The New York Times

And in a nod to conformity, standard-issue Interstate symbols dot the highways, as if to assert that I-278 has at last replaced the Gowanus Expressway in the public imagination.

The New York Times - Books

As if to assert her proud femininity Ms. Leavel's Florence clackety-clacks around the stage in a sumptuous array of period pumps and for unfathomable reasons goes through more costume changes than Marlene Dietrich probably did in her entire career as a concert performer.

The New York Times

With the eye of a Berenice Abbott, she photographed trains, street corners and edges of buildings, and injected her own particular sensibility by putting her body on the ledge of a staircase or curved around the corner of a street, as if to assert the self in an anonymous urban environment.

The New York Times - Arts

If the work sometimes seems a little arch, it is more than offset by a 2005 self-portrait, "Diagnosis/Surgery Cut," in which her brooding, unsmiling face, with black eyes and heavy dark brows looming large against a background of red floral wallpaper, stares intently at the viewer as if to assert its own continuity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Lloyd makes a vibrant lampoon, as if wanting to assert Pinter's up-to-date credentials.

The Guardian

But, out here in the green reaches of northern Westchester, even with the discomfort, the stifling heat of the past week feels right as if summer wants to assert itself and settle in as long as possible.

The New York Times

It is almost as if you write to assert that you're alive".

The Guardian - Books

To many Israelis, it looked as if he wanted to assert the Jewish claim to the Mount at a time when it was feared that Ehud Barak was ready to cede it to the Palestinians.

The New Yorker

The Knicks looked as if they were going to assert themselves and pull away when Michael Doleac hit two free throws to start the fourth quarter.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as if to assert" to subtly suggest an intention behind an action or statement, implying a motivation without stating it directly. This can add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "as if to assert" when the intent is explicit or directly stated. This phrase works best when the assertion is subtle or inferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as if to assert" functions as an introductory phrase that sets up an explanation of an action or behavior. It indicates that the action is performed with the implied intention of making a statement or claiming something. This is validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

16%

Books

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as if to assert" is a useful tool for implying intention in writing, suggesting a reason behind an action without explicitly stating it. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is grammatically sound and functions as an introductory phrase implying purpose. While not extremely common, its usage is appropriate across diverse sources like news, arts, and books. Alternatives such as "as if to declare" or "as if to emphasize" can offer similar nuances, adapting to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as if to declare

Replaces 'assert' with 'declare', emphasizing a more formal and explicit expression of intent.

as if to emphasize

Substitutes 'assert' with 'emphasize', highlighting the act of stressing or underscoring something.

as though to affirm

Uses 'affirm' instead of 'assert', suggesting a confirmation or validation of something.

as if to demonstrate

Employs 'demonstrate' rather than 'assert', focusing on the act of showing or proving.

as if to proclaim

Replaces 'assert' with 'proclaim', indicating a public and often formal announcement.

as if intending to assert

Adds 'intending' to explicitly state the intention behind the action, providing more clarity.

as if aiming to assert

Uses 'aiming' instead of 'intending', suggesting a goal-oriented approach to the assertion.

seemingly to assert

Introduces 'seemingly' to indicate that the assertion is based on appearance rather than certainty.

as though trying to assert

Adds 'trying' to convey an attempt or effort to assert, implying potential difficulty or uncertainty.

as if driven to assert

Introduces a sense of compulsion or external force driving the assertion.

FAQs

How can I use "as if to assert" in a sentence?

Use "as if to assert" to describe an action or behavior that seems intended to make a statement or claim, often subtly or indirectly. For example, 'He raised his voice, as if to assert his authority'.

What are some alternatives to "as if to assert"?

You can use alternatives like "as if to declare", "as if to emphasize", or "as though to affirm", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "as if to assert" and "as if to say"?

"As if to assert" implies a more forceful or deliberate intention to make a statement, while "as if to say" is generally used for more casual or conversational implications. "As if to assert" suggests a claim is being made, whereas "as if to say" simply suggests a message is being conveyed.

Is it better to use "as if to assert" or "as though to assert"?

Both "as if to assert" and "as though to assert" are grammatically correct and virtually interchangeable. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic consistency within a particular piece of writing.