Upper-Intermediate 📐 Grammar · #160 of 305

Hypothetical Meaning: Suppose, Imagine, What If

Introduce hypothetical situations.

Examples

  • Suppose you won, what would you do?

Key rules

  • Suppose, supposing, imagine, what if + past tense for unreal present/future
  • + past perfect for unreal past
  • Used instead of if
  • Also asks for opinions: Suppose he says no?

Common mistakes

  • Suppose you will win the lottery, what would you do? → Suppose you won the lottery, what would you do?
  • Imagine you would be rich → Imagine you were rich
💡 Tip: They sound more conversational than if.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Upper-Intermediate quiz
← Emphatic StructuresIt's Time and It's High Time →

Related Upper-Intermediate topics

See all Upper-Intermediate grammar lessons →

Inversion with Negative Adverbials

Place auxiliary before subject after never, rarely, no sooner.

Cleft Sentences

It is/was ... that, What... is.. to emphasise.

Subjunctive Mood

Use base form after demands and suggestions.

Advanced Modals: Needn't, Dare, Ought To

Less common modal forms.

Future in the Past

was going to / would to describe past plans.

Participle Clauses (Advanced)

Perfect and passive participles join ideas.