Speaking Hypothetically

A presentation for the Inha TESOL program.

By Chris Gunn

When do we use it?

• We use hypothetical speech when we are:• (1) imagining/ supposing/ pretending• (2) talking about unreal/untrue situations• (3) talking about improbable/unlikely

situations.

Example 1: Imagining

Imagine you could have any super power. What would it be?

If I could have any super power, I would choose the ability to fly.

Example 2: Unreal Situations

If I were president, I would help the poor and take care of the environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . But I am not president so I won’t.

Example 3: Improbable Situations

If I won the lottery, I would quit my job and travel the world. . . . . .

. . . But I probably won’t win so I’d better finish my work.

Past Unreal Conditional

Students’ most common experience ofhypothetical speech comes from the past unreal conditional. (2nd conditional)

If + (past tense), (would)Ex) If I saw a ghost, I would scream.

However, speaking hypothetically is much more than just the second conditional.

Other Ways to Mark Hypothetical Speech.

• There are many ways to mark hypothetical situations. The past unreal conditional is just one way.

• Here are some others:ImagineSuppose

SayWhat if

Imagine

• Imagine you were stranded on a deserted island. How would you survive?

Suppose

• Suppose the price of oil increased to $300.00 a barrel. What would be the effect on the economy.

• Well, first of all, there would be a great deal of inflation. Second, people would drive a lot less. Third, industry and government would invest more money in alternative energy sources.

Say

• Did you hear that Jack found a diamond worth $20,000 on the road? He returned it to the owner.

• Say you found a $20,000 diamond on the road. Would you keep it or return it?

Setting the Situation

• You set the situation using one of the markers plus the past tense.

If + past tenseSay + past tenseSuppose + past tenseImagine + past tense.

Giving the Hypothetical Consequences

Once the situation is set, you use “would” and “could” to give the state the consequences.

Situation: If my boss asked me on a dateConsequence: I would refuse and complain.

Situation: Let’s say I was in charge of this companyConsequence: I would provide incentives for

employees to work hard.

• Once you have set the situation, you should keep using would or could as long as you are speaking hypothetically.

EX) If I won the lottery, I would travel the world and I would see many things. First, I would visit Europe because I have always wanted to visit the castles and cathedrals. Then I would fly to South America so that I could trek through the rain forest. Finally, I would take a long vacation on an island in the Pacific.

• However, be careful! Sometimes, you slide in and out of hypothetical speech. What is wrong with following?:

If I could be an animal, I would be an eagle. If I were an eagle, I could fly over mountains and I could rest in tall trees. Eagles could see very far so I would be able to see my friends down on the ground below.

Applications:

• There are many applications. Here are a few:

(1) Giving advice.

(2) Giving solutions to problems.

Giving AdviceIf I were you, I would. . . If it were me, I would . . .

If I were in your shoes, I would . . . I would . . .

Solutions to Problems

If more people took public transportation, there wouldn’t be so much pollution. Also there wouldn’t be such traffics jams at rush hour.