There is one primary reason the "as though if..." is used (quite a lot by myself too): Timing
Unless one has those eyebrow raising emotes quickslotted, it's sometimes not possible to do it in a timely fashion, which just makes them "huh?" as they are sent when the conversation already has by far proceeded.
Adding the "as..." is to clarify that one's character did it "at that time" and not "now... later".
One does as one finds fit, of course!