as if very

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as if very" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may confuse readers due to its ambiguity. Example: "She looked at him as if very surprised by his sudden appearance."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Now it seems as if very little is possible.

The New York Times

It's as if very little was learned during those long years of wandering in the debilitating environs of big budget deficits.

The New York Times

He owned the record for most victories by a major college football coach, but to many, it seemed as if, very late in the game of life, he might have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

The New York Times - Sports

The results might fall into the all-purpose "dreamlike" category, except that the painting style is deliberate and wide awake, as if very particular (though unexplained) story lines were being laid out.

The New York Times - Arts

SALT LAKE CITY SPECIAL -- It seems as if very little expense was spared on the new Grand America Hotel, which opened March 27 in Salt Lake City with Murano-glass chandeliers, Carrara Italian marble in the lobbies and guest rooms, and hand-sewn English wool carpets.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Always look as if you are very comfortable, around him and yourself.

WikiHow

As a result, if very high degree of mixing is pursued, the collector with a simple empty space should be used in the mixer to reduce energy consumption.

Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification

Pine — as if our very naturedemanded that we long without relief.

The New Yorker

"It was as if the very gates of heaven had opened before me," he wrote.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As if the very word "showhome" wasn't bad enough for most souls.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As if the very sediment of things contained yet some residue of sentience.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "as if very" in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "as if extremely" or "as though quite" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Using "very" after "as if" creates an awkward phrasing. Instead of saying "as if very surprised", choose a stronger adjective or adverb that stands alone, such as "as if astonished" or "as if quite surprised".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as if very" functions as a conjunctional phrase, introducing a clause that expresses a comparison or supposition. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase isn't grammatically strong, with better alternatives existing for clearer expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "as if very" does appear in various sources, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically questionable. Its function is to introduce a comparison or supposition, but it often does so in an awkward or weak manner. The phrase's presence in news media, wiki and science contexts suggests a degree of informality, but stronger alternatives are available. For clarity and grammatical correctness, consider using phrases like "as if extremely", "as though quite" or rephrasing the sentence altogether. This will lead to improved and more impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as though very

Replaces "if" with "though", offering a slightly more formal tone while maintaining a similar meaning.

as if extremely

Substitutes "very" with "extremely" to provide a clearer and more grammatically sound intensifier.

as if particularly

Uses "particularly" instead of "very" for a more precise level of emphasis.

as if quite

Employs "quite" as an alternative intensifier to "very", providing a more colloquial feel.

as if really

Replaces "very" with "really" to convey a stronger sense of authenticity or intensity.

as if intensely

Substitutes "very" with "intensely" to heighten the emotional or sensory impact.

as if remarkably

Uses "remarkably" instead of "very" to highlight an unusual or surprising quality.

as if unusually

Replaces "very" with "unusually" to emphasize the atypical nature of the comparison.

as if singularly

Substitutes "very" with "singularly" to impart a unique or exceptional characteristic.

as if decidedly

Uses "decidedly" instead of "very" to indicate a clear and unambiguous comparison.

FAQs

How can I improve the phrase "as if very"?

The phrase "as if very" is generally considered awkward. Consider using alternatives like "as if extremely", "as if particularly" or simply restructuring the sentence for better clarity.

What's wrong with using "as if very"?

The combination of "as if" with "very" creates an unnecessary and grammatically weak construction. Replacing "very" with a stronger intensifier, or rephrasing the sentence, typically results in clearer and more effective writing. For instance, instead of "as if very tired" try "as if exhausted".

Which is correct, "as if very" or "as though very"?

Neither "as if very" nor "as though very" is considered grammatically ideal. Both suffer from the same awkwardness. It's better to use alternatives like "as if quite" or "as though extremely". The choice between "as if" and "as though" is often a matter of preference.

Is there a more concise way to express "as if very"?

Yes, you can often replace "as if very" with a single, more descriptive word or a more concise phrase. For example, instead of "He acted as if very angry", try "He acted angrily" or "He seemed furious".