Native speakers often use "like" in sentences like:
Wave you hands in the air like you just don't care.
Oh, fine, like I care!
Is it considered good English? I guess using subjunctive in those "like" clauses would be hypercorrect?
**********
NOT A TEACHER **********
Hello, Birdeen's Call.
(1) I have just returned from my daily walk and discovered with great
delight that two wonderful teachers have helped you and me.
(2) Teacher Kfredson is
100% correct: you can definitely use either
the subjunctive or non-subjunctive after
as if/like -- depending on the
meaning you wish to give:
She looks as if she
is rich. =
Maybe she actually
is rich!!!
He talks as if he
were (
was in popular English) rich. = But we know that
he is not rich.
These two examples come from Mr. Michael Swan's very popular
Practical English Grammar.
(3) Many years ago, the rule was quite strict,
As if takes the subjunctive.
But speakers have broken away from this rigid rule because there are
times when you are talking about a fact. Teacher Kfredson gave some
examples that you can use as a model when you decide whether you
should use the subjunctive or non-subjunctive after
as if/like.
(4) If we remember that many Americans use
like instead of
as if, it
seems that you have a wide choice of "good" English:
Wave your hands
as if/ like you
didn't/don't care. Apparently,
any combination is OK --
depending on your meaning.
If I understood Teacher Kfredson correctly:
Wave your hands as if/like you don't care = You really do not care!!!
Wave your hands as if/like you didn't care = You do care but you do not
want the other person to know your inner feelings.
(5) Thanks a million for your question. I learned so much. Namely, that
as if in modern English
sometimes goes better with a non-subjunctive
verb.
Thank you