it seems as if+tense????

[bosunyum]

As far as I know, after as if past or past perfect tense should be followed . Is that right? But I often encouter sentences where present or present progressive are followed after as if. which one is right? and what is the differnce in terms of meaning?

ex 1. It seems as if he misunderstands me. or
It seems as if he misunderstood me. which one is right?

ex 2. It seems as if there are a lot of complaints about the new policy.
It seems as if there have been a lot of complaints about the new policy.
It seems as if there were a lot of complaints about the new policy.

which one is right? and Why?
I always appreciate your great help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tdol]

1 The past makes more sense than the present. There could be contexts for the present- repeated misunderstandings, or maybe even speaking at the moment of misunderstanding.

2 The present perfect is fine if the complaints are recent or more are likely to come in. I'd say it follows the normal distinction between the past and the present perfect.

[bosunyum]

I still don't understand when to use present, past or present perfect. Also, I am not sure if there is the differnce in terms of underlying meaning. for example,

He talks as if he knew my boyfriend.
He talks as if he knows my boyfriend.
which one is more accepatable to you? why?
( my grammar book says both forms are possible but there is difference in terms of meaning)
another example,

It seems that as if it will rain.
It seems that as if it is raining. which one is correct?

as far as I know, grammatically only past or past continous is possible after as if. Is that correct?

Please answer me. It is really confusing.

[Tdol]

He talks as if he knew my boyfriend.- He's pretending to know him
He talks as if he knows my boyfriend. - He probably knows him, which surprises me

It seems that as if it will rain.
It seems that as if it is raining. which one is correct?
Neither:
It seems that it will rain.
It seems that it is raining.

Here. it just depends on the time of the rain

[bosunyum]

then, when do you say it seems that..... and it seems as if...? is there any grammaical rule ? or differnce in terms of meaning?