A question about “as if”

I wonder whether the following sentence uses “as if” correctly.

David makes a desk as if it were made by John.

Does this sentence mean “David makes a desk which looks like one made by John”?

Answer

No, it’s confusing to me as a US-English native speaker. Also “makes a desk” is unclear. Like, is he a carpenter building desks? I’d expect to see something more like:

  • David makes desks just like John does.
  • David makes desks just like John’s.

or…

  • David makes desks as if the whole world depended on it.
  • David makes desks as if he didn’t give a damn.
  • David is making desks as if he didn’t have plans in an hour.

I hope that helps with the kind of tone that as if gives. There’s a kind of unreal quality to it.

Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : Matteo , Answer Author : Johnny

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