Thursday 16 February 2012

Like - or not like?

Before I pose my burning, important and highly-intelligent question, here are some spring-time pictures to make you smile :-)


                 

The sun must be on its way - hang on in there!

Now for the question...

Which do you like better?

I felt like I was walking on air.

OR

I felt as if (as though?) I was walking on air.

My instinct is that the second option flows better (without the bracketed part, obviously - take your pick between if and though).

I'd love to know what you think - even if you think it doesn't make any difference at all! 

Answers on a postcard, please (not really).

Thanks for reading - hope you're all having a good day :-)

13 comments:

Alex Villasante said...

I really think it depends on the context. The first sounds 'younger' to me, the second sounds 'older' or more formal. Also a smidge more educated. Does that make sense? I guess it depends on who is speaking and what that character is like. Thanks for the pretty flowers. We've had such a mild winter (so far) that my daffs are coming up. I shout out them "FOOLS!" We could still have a blizzard, stay down where it's warm." The daffs don't listen to me. wonder why?

Paul Bareham said...

I felt floaty?

Linda King said...

Good point, Alex. Keep shouting at those daffs... nobody will think you're crazy... ;-)

Linda King said...

Bless, I'd forgotten just how helpful you can be. x

Luanne G. Smith said...

I really want it to be spring. We've had a cold, snowy winter here in Colorado this year.

As far as the sentences, it really does depend on the feel of the rest of the writing. The second does seem more formal as Alex pointed out. Go with your instinct. :)

Paul Bareham said...

One still tries, even after all these years.

Unknown said...

I agree with Alex's points, with one to add. Why not just do 'I was walking on air'? We are already in the character's point of view, and it's generally understood the phrase means happy. Though it, as always, depends on character and context.

Sarah Tokeley said...

I like the second one better, but agree the first sounds younger - Gwen's suggestion is even better though :-)

The flowers are wonderful. No sign of our daffs yet.

Patsy said...

I agree that it depends on the character but prefer the second version personally.

Theresa Milstein said...

Turn it into a metaphor instead of a simile. I was walking on air. Or I walked on air.

Thanks for the colorful burst of spring.

Did you know you have Word Verification?

Linda King said...

Thanks everyone - I actually have a bit of a niggly hate-thing going on for 'I felt like' and I wondered what others think! I agree, it does depend on the character - e.g. I'd probably be more likely to use 'felt like' if I was writing from a teenage point of view.

Linda King said...

Word Verification? What's that?!

Heather Murphy said...

I'm a little slow responding but I liked your flower pictures and I agree that it would depend on the character.