As if

como si fuera

as if it were· tap the form for the whole table

Say these out loud

Why it works

Como si is always followed by the imperfect subjunctive. There is no exception.

It does not matter what tense the main verb is in: habla como si fuera, habló como si fuera.

Ni que does the same job with more sarcasm: ni que fuera gratis.

Why not como si es

habla como si es fácil

he speaks as if it is easy

Como si never takes an indicative form. The comparison is unreal by definition.

In a full sentence

Mi jefe habla como si fuera dueño de la empresa.
My boss talks as if he were the owner of the company.
Use fuera for an unreal comparison about identity.
Mi ordenador va lento como si estuviera agotado.
My computer runs slowly as if it were exhausted.
Use estuviera for an unreal comparison about a temporary state.
Compro entradas como si tuviera vacaciones ilimitadas.
I buy tickets as if I had unlimited holidays.
Use tuviera for an unreal comparison about possession.
Explica el error como si supiera arreglarlo.
He explains the error as if he knew how to fix it.
Use supiera for an unreal comparison about knowledge.

5 gaps to fill, then 3 sentences from the English · say or type each one