[1] quasi; tamquam; tamquam sī; velut (sī); ac sī; ut sī
All of the above mean ‘as if’ or ‘as though’ and can introduce clauses of comparison. When used with a subjunctive verb, they express a comparison that is not factual but imagined or supposed or unreal.
We’ll begin with examples of quasi from Plautus.
The English prefix quasi-, derived from Latin, conveys that something is almost, but not completely, the thing described or it resembles something else: The school uniform is quasi-military in style, i.e. it has a military appearance, or it can almost be compared to a military uniform.
[2] In the quotations below, the speaker is not saying the comparison is true, only that the situation seems that way.
[i] The subjunctive is normally present or perfect:
Sepultust [= sepultus est] quasi sit mortuus (Plautus)
- He’s been buried as if he were dead.
Sedent quasi sint frūgī (Plautus)
- They sit as if they were worthy men.
Vērum quasi adfuerim tamen simulābō (Plautus)
- Oh well, I'll pretend that [literally: as if] I had been there just the same.
Obsecrō ēcastor, quid tū mē dērīdiculī grātiā sīc salūtās atque appellās, quasi dūdum nōn vīderīs quasique nunc prīmum recipiās tē domum hūc ex hostibus? (Plautus)
- I beg you, by Castor, why are you greeting and addressing me like this just for the sake of a joke—as if you hadn’t seen me for a long time, and as if you were only now coming back home here from the enemy for the first time?
There are, however, examples where the imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive may be used in primary sequences although they are rare.
Aequē ā tē petō ac sī mea negōtia essent (Cicero)
- I entreat you as much as if they were my affairs.
Eius negōtium sīc velim suscipiās ut sī esset rēs mea (Cicero)
- I would like you to undertake his business as if it were my affair.
[ii] The subjunctive is imperfect or pluperfect if the sequence of tenses is secondary (historic):
Aedēs [plural] tōtae cōnfulgēbant tuae, quasi essent aureae (Plautus)
- Your whole house was shining just as if it were gold.
[iii] Note: in general, do not be misled by English translations. In many of the examples above ‘were’ e.g. ‘as if he were’ is an actual English subjunctive form rather than a simple past tense.
Sepultust [= sepultus est] quasi sit mortuus (Plautus)
- He’s been buried as if he were dead.
Aedēs [plural] tōtae cōnfulgēbant tuae, quasi essent aureae (Plautus)
- Your whole house was shining just as if it were gold.
These sentences could equally translate as “as if he is dead” and “as if it was gold”, but more formal / precise English style would prefer ‘were’. You will see this in some of the examples below.
[3] Further examples:
Sed quid ego hīs testibus ūtor quasi rēs dubia aut obscūra sit?
- But why do I use these witnesses, as if the matter were doubtful or obscure? (Cicero)
Tam quasi mē ēmerīs argentō, … serviam tibi (Plautus; slightly adapted)
- I will serve you as though you had bought me for money.
Nihil est: tamquam sī claudus sim (Plautus)
- It’s no good: (it’s) as if I were lame.
Hoc ergō sīc audiēmus, tamquam sī dīcerēs … (Quintilian)
- Therefore, we shall listen to this as if you were saying …
ille … īnsolentissimus adulēscēns obticuit, tamquam sī … ab Hērōde in eum ipsum dicta essent. (Gellius)
- That very arrogant youth was mute, just as if all of this had been said… against himself by Herodes.
Sed, quotiēnscumque occurret memoria illōrum, velut sī adhortantēs signumque dantēs videātis eōs, ita proelia inīre (Livy)
- But, whenever the memory of them comes up, just as if you saw them urging you on and giving the signal, go into battle in this way. [Again, note the English use of saw; ‘see’ would also be correct as would ‘as if you were to see…]
Velut sī prōlāpsus cecidisset, terram ōsculō contigit (Livy)
- As if, having slipped forward, he had fallen, he touched the earth with a kiss
Tantus metus patrēs cēpit velut sī iam ad portās hostis esset (Livy)
- Such great fear overcame the senators as if the enemy were already at the gates.
Quae ubi vīdit audīvitque senex, velut sī iam agendīs quae audiēbat interesset, āmēns metū (Livy)
- When the old man saw and heard that, (he was) beside himself with fear, as if he were already present at the execution of the plan which he was listening to.
Ut sī medicus … īrāscī velit (Cicero)
- (It’s) as if a doctor wanted to get angry …
Velim domum ad tē scrībās … ac sī ipse adessēs (Cicero)
- I would like you to write home … just as though you were there.
