Unit 15: Subjunctive II

5. “As If” Clauses

In German, “as if” clauses are expressed by als ob or als wenn or als followed by the subjunctive form of the verb. For example,

Das Kind sieht aus, als ob es krank wäre.
The child looks as if it were ill.

Der Manager tat, als wenn er entlassen worden wäre.
The manager acted as if he had been fired.

Es schien, als hätten wir den ganzen Tag geschlafen.
It seemed as if we had slept the whole day.

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