As if clauses: He said as if nothing happened, as if we could still speak out...

[Ekrem]

I'm not sure which ones of the four sentences below are correct.

Please explain if they are all correct but with different implications. Thank you very much.

1."Instead of clamming up, why not talk about it," he said as if nothing happened, as if we could still speak out as before.

2."Instead of clamming up, why not talk about it," he said as if nothing had happened, as if we could have still spoken out as before.

3.“Do what you want. Don’t ask me,” he said, scowling as if he got indigestion.

4.“Do what you want. Don’t ask me,” he said, scowling as if he had got indigestion.

[Alan]

Hi,

I would suggest (2) and (4) are correct. The tense after 'as if' in those sentences refers to some action before 'he said'. When both tenses are the same, it suggests that the actions are happening/happen at the same time.

He looks as if he is happy.

He ran very fast as if he wanted to win.

He is smiling as if he is thinking of a joke.

Alan
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