English Lessons and Exercises
Conditionals - Suppose that - What if
How to use "Suppose that" and " What if"
We use "suppose that", "supposing that"
and "what if"
to talk abot the imaginary
situations.
We just imagine the opposite of the current situation and
want to guess or learn possible results of this imaginary situation.
suppose that / supposing that
- Suppose
that you failed the test, what would you do then?
- Suppose
that hadn't bought that car, what else would you
have done with your money?
- Suppose
we miss the train - what will we do then?
- Supposing
that I lost all the money, what would you do?
- We'd love to come and see you on Saturday, supposing
I don't have to work that day.
- Suppose
you lost your job tomorrow, what would you do?
what if
What if I
tell
you
lies?
= What will happen if
I tell you lies? (type 1)
What if I
didn’t pay my
debt?
= What would happen
if didn’t pay my debt? (type 2)
What if I
hadn’t called
you?
= What
would have happened if I hadn’t called
you? (type 3)
- What if the train's late?
- What if you hadn’t passed your exams?
- What if you were late for work?
- What if it rains?
- What if he told you a lie?
- What if I hadn't warned you?
we can also use
"suppose that" and "what if" as possibility or suggestion.
Suggestions
"suppose, supposing and
what if + present verb" form can be used to make suggestions
about what may happen:
A: Where
should we meet?
B: Suppose we meet
an the cafe at six?
A: That’s
great. I’ll call others and let them know.
A: We
have a little money left. We caoonot go to a restaurant today.
B: What if we buy
some thing from the market and cook at home?
A:
Okay. Good idea.
Possibility
"suppose, supposing and
what if + past form" can also be used to talk about future
possibilities:
Suppose we hire Sam as a new
assistant? Do you think he’d do it?
A:
What if I shaved off my hair.
I’d love that.
B:
You must be joking!!
Listen to the lesson audio: