وقد تستعمل عند الظن بثبوت الخبر
The expression may be used where the truth of a report is only conjectured.
«كَأَنَّ» does not always denote a pictorial likeness between two concrete objects. It can also express an impression or conjecture about whether a statement is true. The intention to draw a comparison must then be distinguished from the degree of confidence in the reported event.
For example, “It seems as though he has reached home” may mark a tentative inference. In «كَأَنَّ زَيْدًا أَسَدٌ», however, the principal aim can be to assimilate Zayd’s courage to that of a lion. Similar wording does not eliminate this distinction in communicative function.