como si + imperfect subjunctive
As if: como si always takes the imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive, whatever the main verb, plus como si nada and ni que.
Part of the free B2 Spanish course. Press the speaker next to an example to hear it.
Como si means as if or as though. It describes something that is not true, or that the speaker presents as imaginary, so it always takes the subjunctive. Unlike most subjunctive triggers, it ignores the tense of the main verb (Which subjunctive? Sequence of tenses): it is never followed by the present subjunctive.
como si + imperfect subjunctive: at the same time
Use the imperfect subjunctive (The imperfect subjunctive: -ra and -se forms) for an imaginary situation at the same time as the main verb, whether that verb is present, past or future.
- Habla de la empresa como si fuera suya.He talks about the company as if it were his.
- Me trató como si no me conociera de nada.She treated me as if she didn't know me at all.
- Gasta dinero como si fuera millonario.He spends money as if he were a millionaire.
- Te escucho como si fuera la primera vez.I'm listening to you as if it were the first time.
como si + pluperfect subjunctive: earlier
Use the pluperfect subjunctive (Past hypotheses: si hubiera sabido, habría venido) for an imaginary event before the main verb.
- Se comporta como si no hubiera pasado nada.He's behaving as if nothing had happened.
- Me miró como si hubiera visto un fantasma.She looked at me as if she'd seen a ghost.
| Main verb | como si + | Example |
|---|---|---|
| any tense | imperfect subjunctive (same time) | Actúa / Actuaba / Actuará como si tuviera prisa. |
| any tense | pluperfect subjunctive (earlier) | Habla / Hablaba como si lo hubiera visto. |
| never | present subjunctive |
Set phrases
Como si nada = as if nothing had happened, without a care.
- Después de la discusión, siguió trabajando como si nada.After the argument, he carried on working as if nothing had happened.
¡Como si…! on its own is a sarcastic reply: ¡Como si me importara! = As if I cared!
Ni que + imperfect subjunctive is a colloquial exclamation meaning "it's not as if…", used to protest at an exaggerated reaction.
- ¡Ni que fuera tan difícil!It's not as if it were that hard!
Latin America
Como si works the same everywhere, with -ra forms much more frequent than -se in speech. Ni que is used in Spain and in many Latin American countries.
Common mistakes
como si esorcomo si sea: como si takes only the imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive: como si fuera.Actuaba como si tenía prisa: no indicative after como si: como si tuviera prisa.- Using the imperfect subjunctive for an earlier event: Me miró como si viera un fantasma means "as if she were seeing a ghost"; for "as if she had seen" say como si hubiera visto.
- Translating "like" literally:
Habla como él es el jefe. Spanish needs como si + subjunctive: Habla como si fuera el jefe.
Practice
- Mi cuñado opina de todo como si _____ experto en todo.Options: fuera · sea · es · sería
Show the answer
fuera — Como si always takes the imperfect (or pluperfect) subjunctive, even after a present main verb.
- El ministro respondió como si no _____ (oír) la pregunta.
Show the answer
hubiera oído — An imaginary event before the main verb → como si + pluperfect subjunctive.
- Nos habla como si _____ (ser, nosotros) niños.
Show the answer
fuéramos — Nosotros form with its written accent: fuéramos / fuésemos.
- Corrieron hacia la salida como si _____ un incendio.Options: hubiera · haya · hay · habría
Show the answer
hubiera — Hay → hubiera (or hubiese) after como si.