as if to = as if + sentence?

[ademoglu]

Hi,

I've seached on the net for the differences between 'as if + to do / as if + doing / as though + to do / as though + doing' and 'as if/though + sentence' but I could not understand anyting. Some say that we can use as if to ... or as if + an -ing verb to show intention; others say that as if to ... or as if + an -ing verb are used, especially in more poetic language.

Could you please tell me the difference between them?

*my sentences*

- She looked at me as if she was going to tell me something.
- She looked at me as if to tell me something.

- She looks as if she is hungry.
- She looks as if to be hungry. ---------> this sounds wrong to me but I don't know why.

Thank you!

 

[MikeNewYork]

1. I would write "as if she were going to tell me something". (subjunctive)
2. OK
3. "as if she were hungry". (subjunctive)
4. That doesn't work.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think 'as if hungry' is OK.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Not very natural.