were as though

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were as though" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey a comparison or hypothetical situation, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "They acted as though they were in charge, but in reality, they had no authority."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It were as though, if we never talked about it, then it never happened.

Los Angeles Times

It was no more than a second-round win in the Dubai Open, but her reactions were as though she had added to the pairs of Wimbledon and US Open titles she captured three and four years ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Who said that? "The most English and the least spoilt of our countrysides" J B Priestley on the Cotswolds, English Journey, 1933 "We were as though caught in a time-proofed corner of the world, foster-children, if not exactly of silence, at least of slow time.

Independent

"This is a good thing we are doing," he would say, and he called us all "child" however old we were, as though we could always learn and grow - as he did.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"Now it is as though Christmas never happened," he said.

The New York Times

It was as though will alone kept him upright.

Independent

It's as though suddenly I'm 19 again.

Forbes

"For me, when the cars are damaged, it is as though I am as well".

The Guardian - Business

It was as though he was there.

Independent

It's as though catharsis equals art".

The New York Times - Magazine

It's as though Aaron Spelling never died.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "were as though" in formal writing. Instead, use grammatically correct alternatives like "as if they were" or "it seemed as though they were".

Common error

The phrase "were as though" often results from confusion with correct alternatives like "it was as though" or "they were as if". Ensure the verb conjugation aligns with the subject and intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were as though" functions as a conjunction phrase attempting to create a comparison or express a hypothetical situation. However, according to Ludwig, it is grammatically incorrect. The intended function is similar to phrases like "as if" or "as though".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were as though" is grammatically incorrect in standard English and should be avoided in formal writing. While it appears in some news sources, its use is still considered non-standard. Ludwig suggests utilizing alternatives like "as if they were" or "it seemed as though they were" to convey the intended meaning of comparison or hypothetical scenarios. The communicative purpose is to draw a parallel between situations, but the incorrect grammar undermines its effectiveness. Therefore, careful attention to verb conjugation and the use of more precise language are crucial for clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as if they were

Replaces "as though" with "as if" and clarifies the subject.

seemed as if they were

Adds "seemed" to emphasize the appearance or impression.

it appeared as though they were

Uses "appeared" to indicate an observed resemblance.

acted as if they were

Focuses on the action and the implied comparison.

behaved as if they were

Similar to "acted as if", emphasizing behavior.

it was like they were

Simplifies the comparison using "like" instead of "as though".

they seemed to be

A more concise way to express a similar impression.

it felt as if they were

Emphasizes the feeling or perception of the situation.

they gave the impression of being

Focuses on the impression created by their actions or appearance.

one would think they were

Introduces a hypothetical viewpoint or assumption.

FAQs

What are some correct alternatives to "were as though"?

You can use phrases like "as if they were", "it seemed as though they were", or "it was as though they were".

Is "were as though" grammatically correct?

No, "were as though" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. More appropriate alternatives should be used.

When might I consider using "were as though"?

It's generally best to avoid "were as though" in formal or academic writing. In very informal contexts, it might be understood, but it's still preferable to use a grammatically correct alternative.

What is the difference between "were as though" and "was as though"?

"Were as though" is typically incorrect. The correct form depends on the subject. For a plural subject, use "they were as though" (though it's still better to rephrase). For a singular subject, use "it was as though".