as if
- supposing that
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˌæz‿ˈɪf/ / /əz‿ˈɪf/
conj
Etymology: From Middle English as ȝif, alls iff (“as if”), from Old English *ealswā ġif, attested only as swā ġif (“as if”), equivalent to as + if. Compare Dutch alsof (“as if”), Low German as of (“as if”), German als ob (“as if”).
- As though; in a manner suggesting.
“The old man stumbled, as if he were about to fall.”
“It looks as if it's going to rain.”
- In mimicry of.
“When the teacher’s back was turned, the class clown would hold his stomach as if he were ill.”
- Indicating something that the speaker deems very unlikely, or is adamant that he or she would not do (see also interjection sense below).
“How can you even think that? As if I would inform on you to the police!”
intj
Etymology: From Middle English as ȝif, alls iff (“as if”), from Old English *ealswā ġif, attested only as swā ġif (“as if”), equivalent to as + if. Compare Dutch alsof (“as if”), Low German as of (“as if”), German als ob (“as if”).
- Indicates that the speaker deems something highly unlikely.
“"I'm going to clean your whole house." — "As if!"”
“Me, take up yoga and become a vegetarian? As if!”