Unreal comparisons with como si

The idea

For a simultaneous situation, use the imperfect subjunctive: conociera or conociese. For an earlier event, use the pluperfect subjunctive: hubiera or hubiese plus a participle.

Examples

• Marta habla como si conociera a todo el barrio.Marta speaks as if she knew everyone in the neighborhood.
• El perro corre como si tuviera alas.The dog runs as if it had wings.
• Nos miraron como si hubiéramos roto la ventana.They looked at us as if we had broken the window.
• La niña escucha como si oyese una historia secreta.The child listens as if she were hearing a secret story.
• Luis celebró el resultado como si hubiera ganado una carrera.Luis celebrated the result as if he had won a race.
• La oficina está tan silenciosa como si nadie trabajara allí.The office is as quiet as if nobody worked there.

Watch out

Do not use the indicative conoce after como si in this construction. The past form does not necessarily refer to past time.

Try it yourself

1. Complete the simultaneous comparison. El vecino canta como si ___ famoso. (ser)

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   fuera / fuese

   Fuera or fuese presents fame as simultaneous with the singing.

2. Complete the earlier comparison. Ana sonríe como si ___ el premio antes. (ganar)

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   hubiera ganado / hubiese ganado

   Hubiera ganado or hubiese ganado places the imagined win before the smile.

3. Complete the simultaneous comparison. Ustedes caminan como si ___ el camino. (saber)

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   supieran / supiesen

   Supieran or supiesen agrees with ustedes and describes knowledge simultaneous with walking.

Use it today

Describe someone acting as if they knew a secret.