*As it were vs. so to speak
Now let’s check if the two expressions are used the same way in different registers.
1. Go to the BNC.
2. Put as it were in the search box. Above, in the Display panel, check the CHART option. Click the SEARCH button.
3. Study the Chart. Compare the frequencies of the phrase in different registers. In which register is the phrase predominantly used? Copy the chart to a wordprocessor.
4. Follow the same procedure for so to speak. Can you see any striking differences?
Now let’s take our comparisons a little further. Let’s compare the two phrases across British and American English.
5. Search for as it were in the COCA following the same procedure as in points (1-2)
6. Click on the little box with an arrow in the top of the screen and choose COCA (Corpus of Contemporary American English). Study two charts displaying the frequencies of the phrase in different registers in the two corpora. Can you see any striking differences?
7. Follow the same procedure for so to speak.
8. Summarize your findings in a few sentences and submit your answer.