B2 Verb Moods 11 min read Moyen

Suppose & Supposing : Le jeu du 'Et si'

Maîtrise suppose et supposing pour parler sans effort des hypothèses et des situations what if.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'Suppose' or 'Supposing' to invite someone to imagine a situation, acting like a more creative version of 'If'.

  • Use 'Suppose' + Present Tense for likely future events: 'Suppose it rains?'
  • Use 'Suppose' + Past Tense for unlikely/imaginary events: 'Suppose you won?'
  • Use 'Suppose' + Past Perfect for impossible past events: 'Suppose you hadn't gone?'
Suppose/Supposing + Clause (Subject + Verb) + ?

Overview

### Overview
En tant que francophones, nous utilisons souvent des structures comme « si jamais » ou « imaginons que » pour introduire des hypothèses. En anglais, suppose et supposing sont des outils linguistiques fascinants qui remplissent une fonction similaire, mais avec une nuance plus active et analytique. Alors que le if (si) classique est purement conditionnel, suppose et supposing agissent comme des déclencheurs de « jeux de pensée ».
Ils invitent l'interlocuteur à suspendre sa réalité actuelle pour explorer une prémisse donnée. C'est une distinction subtile mais capitale pour un niveau B2 : vous ne vous contentez plus de poser une condition, vous proposez un scénario pour en tester les conséquences.
En français, nous avons tendance à utiliser le conditionnel ou l'imparfait après « si » pour exprimer l'irréel, par exemple : « Si j'étais riche, j'achèterais... ». En anglais, suppose et supposing fonctionnent sur le même principe de concordance des temps, mais ils apportent une dimension rhétorique supplémentaire.
Ils sont souvent utilisés dans des contextes de négociation, de résolution de problèmes ou de débats philosophiques au bureau ou entre amis. Maîtriser ces termes, c'est passer d'une maîtrise scolaire de la grammaire à une aisance fluide et argumentative, typique de celui qui sait structurer sa pensée en anglais. Que ce soit au café en discutant d'un projet ou en réunion pour anticiper des risques, ces structures vous permettront de diriger la conversation vers l'analyse de scénarios hypothétiques avec une précision remarquable.
### How This Grammar Works
La mécanique de suppose et supposing repose sur ce que nous appelons la « distance hypothétique ». En anglais, comme en français, le temps verbal ne sert pas seulement à situer une action dans le temps, mais à marquer le degré de réalité. C'est ici que le concept de subjunctive mood (subjonctif) intervient.
Lorsque vous utilisez suppose ou supposing pour une situation irréelle, vous utilisez un temps du passé (le prétérit) non pas pour parler du passé, mais pour signaler que l'idée est imaginaire ou contraire à la réalité présente.
Comparons cela au français : là où nous disons « Imaginons que tu sois... » (subjonctif présent), l'anglais préférera souvent Suppose you were... (past simple). Cette utilisation du past simple après suppose est le marqueur grammatical standard pour l'irréel.
| Terme | Fonction principale | Équivalent français (approche)
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| if | Condition neutre | « Si »
| suppose | Invitation à l'imaginaire | « Imaginons que », « Suppose que »
| supposing | Spéculation contemplative | « En supposant que », « Et si » |
La grande différence ici est que suppose et supposing sont des « conjonctions de spécialité ». Ils ne se contentent pas de poser une condition, ils « forcent » l'auditeur à visualiser le scénario. C'est une forme de mise en scène discursive.
Si vous dites Suppose we lost the contract, vous ne dites pas simplement « Si nous perdons le contrat », vous créez un espace mental où le contrat est déjà perdu, et vous demandez immédiatement : « Et maintenant, que fait-on ? ». C'est cette dimension proactive qui rend ces structures indispensables au niveau B2.
### Formation Pattern
La structure est très similaire à celle des conditionnels classiques (First, Second et Third Conditionals). La différence majeure est que suppose et supposing peuvent souvent se passer du that optionnel, ce qui rend la phrase plus directe et percutante.
| Type de condition | Structure de la clause | Exemple de phrase |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Réel / Possible | Suppose + Présent simple | Suppose he arrives late, we start without him. |
| Irréel présent | Suppose + Past simple | Suppose you had a million euros, what would you do? |
| Irréel passé | Suppose + Past perfect | Suppose you had told the truth, would they have reacted differently? |
Pour les suggestions, on utilise une forme plus courte et idiomatique : Suppose we + base verb. Par exemple : Suppose we grab a coffee? (Imaginons qu'on aille prendre un café ?). C'est une manière très élégante et moins impérative de faire une proposition.
Notez bien que dans la clause introduite par suppose, on n'utilise JAMAIS will ou would. Ces auxiliaires sont réservés à la clause principale (le résultat).
### When To Use It
L'usage de suppose et supposing est idéal dans quatre situations précises :
  1. 1Expériences de pensée (Thought Experiments) : Très courant dans les discussions philosophiques ou les débats sur les réseaux sociaux. Suppose time travel were possible... permet d'explorer des paradoxes sans avoir à prouver la faisabilité.
  1. 1Suggestions collaboratives : Au bureau, pour proposer une idée sans brusquer ses collègues. Au lieu de dire « Faisons cela », dire Suppose we try this new software rend l'idée ouverte à la discussion et moins autoritaire.
  1. 1Gestion des risques (Contingencies) : C'est l'outil parfait pour anticiper les problèmes. Supposing the server crashes, do we have a backup? Cette formulation montre que vous avez de l'avance sur les problèmes potentiels.
  1. 1Questions rhétoriques : Pour convaincre quelqu'un en le poussant à admettre une conséquence logique. Suppose everyone thought like you, what would happen to society?
### Common Mistakes
Voici trois erreurs classiques que nous, francophones, commettons souvent à cause de l'interférence de notre langue maternelle (L1) :
  1. 1L'utilisation de will ou would dans la condition : En français, nous disons parfois « Si tu aurais su... » (bien que fautif, c'est courant). En anglais, c'est une faute grave. On ne met jamais le modal dans la clause suppose.
*Erreur :* Suppose you would win, what would you do?
*Correction :* Suppose you won, what would you do?
  1. 1Confusion entre le verbe et la conjonction : En français, « supposer » est un verbe d'opinion. En anglais, I suppose signifie « je suppose / je crois ». Mais Suppose... en début de phrase est une structure conditionnelle. Les étudiants mélangent souvent les deux.
*Exemple :* I suppose you are right (Je crois que tu as raison) vs Suppose you are right, what then? (Imaginons que tu aies raison, et ensuite ?).
  1. 1Le mauvais usage du subjonctif were : Nous avons tendance à utiliser was partout parce que c'est plus simple. Bien que l'anglais moderne tolère was, dans un contexte B2/C1, l'usage de were pour toutes les personnes (I were, you were, he were) est le signe d'une maîtrise supérieure du langage soutenu.
### Contrast With Similar Patterns
Il est crucial de comprendre la différence entre suppose, what if, et imagine.
| Structure | Nuance | Ton |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Suppose | Analytique, logique | Formel / Neutre |
| What if | Immédiat, parfois émotionnel | Informel / Direct |
| Imagine | Visuel, créatif | Descriptif |
What if est beaucoup plus courant dans la langue parlée. Suppose demande un effort de réflexion plus structuré. Si vous êtes dans une réunion de travail, utilisez Suppose. Si vous êtes avec des amis en train de discuter d'un scénario de film, What if sera plus naturel.
### Quick FAQ
1. Quelle est la différence entre suppose et supposing ?
Il n'y a quasiment aucune différence de sens. Supposing peut paraître un tout petit peu plus formel ou réfléchi, mais ils sont interchangeables dans 99 % des cas.
2. Puis-je utiliser suppose pour parler d'un fait réel ?
Oui, avec le présent simple. Suppose it rains, we will stay inside. C'est une condition tout à fait réaliste.
3. Est-ce que je dois toujours utiliser une virgule après la clause suppose ?
Oui, car la clause suppose est une proposition subordonnée qui précède la principale. La virgule aide à marquer la pause nécessaire pour que l'interlocuteur puisse absorber l'hypothèse avant de passer à la conséquence.

Tense Usage with Suppose/Supposing

Scenario Type Tense Used Example Structure Meaning
Real Possibility
Present Simple
Suppose + Subject + Present Verb
It might actually happen.
Imaginary/Unlikely
Past Simple
Suppose + Subject + Past Verb
It is unlikely or not true now.
Impossible Past
Past Perfect
Suppose + Subject + Had + Past Participle
It didn't happen, but imagine if it did.

Meanings

Used at the beginning of a sentence to ask someone to imagine a situation and its consequences, often as a suggestion or a challenge.

1

Making Suggestions

A polite or indirect way to propose a plan or an idea.

“Suppose we go to the cinema instead of the park?”

“Supposing we ask for a discount?”

2

Imagining the Unlikely

Exploring hypothetical situations that are not currently true or are improbable.

“Suppose you were the president, what would you change?”

“Supposing you found a million dollars, would you keep it?”

3

Challenging an Argument

Using a hypothesis to point out a potential problem or flaw in someone's logic.

“Supposing they don't agree to our terms, what's our backup plan?”

“Suppose the engine fails mid-flight?”

Reference Table

Reference table for Suppose & Supposing : Le jeu du 'Et si'
Type Structure Signification Exemple
Hypothétique (Irréel)
Suppose/Supposing + Past Simple
Événement imaginaire/improbable
`Suppose you flew?`
Hypothétique (Réel/Probable)
Suppose/Supposing + Present Simple
Événement futur possible
`Supposing she calls?`
Suggestion
Suppose/Supposing + Present Simple
Proposer une idée
`Suppose we go out?`
Préoccupation/Inquiétude
Suppose/Supposing + Present Simple
Exprimer une peur potentielle
`Supposing it fails?`
Hypothétique Passé
Suppose/Supposing + Past Perfect
Imaginer un passé différent
`Suppose he had known?`
Usage interchangeable
Suppose = Supposing
Généralement pas de différence de sens
`Suppose/Supposing it rains.`

Spectre de formalité

Formel
Supposing we were to reschedule the meeting for Tuesday?

Supposing we were to reschedule the meeting for Tuesday? (Workplace scheduling)

Neutre
Suppose we move the meeting to Tuesday?

Suppose we move the meeting to Tuesday? (Workplace scheduling)

Informel
Suppose we do Tuesday instead?

Suppose we do Tuesday instead? (Workplace scheduling)

Argot
Suppose we just bail 'til Tuesday?

Suppose we just bail 'til Tuesday? (Workplace scheduling)

Suppose & Supposing : Le jeu du 'Et si...'

Situations hypothétiques

Utilisations clés

  • Questions Susciter la curiosité
  • Suggestions Proposer des idées
  • Concerns Exprimer des inquiétudes
  • Conditions Établir des termes

Structure

  • Suppose/Supposing Phrase introductive
  • Past Simple Pour l'irréel/improbable
  • Present Simple Pour le réel/probable
  • Past Perfect Pour le passé irréel

Ambiance

  • Speculative Ce qui pourrait arriver
  • Imaginative Faire semblant
  • Flexible Formel et informel

Suppose/Supposing vs. If (Conditionnelles)

Suppose / Supposing
Suppose you won the lottery? Plus spéculatif, invite à l'imagination
Supposing we leave early. Souvent une suggestion ou un ordre doux
Verb tense follows 'if' rules. Grammaire similaire pour les conditions
If
If you win the lottery... Neutre, énonce une condition
If we leave early... Énoncé conditionnel neutre
Common for all conditional types. Connecteur conditionnel standard

Choisir le bon temps avec Suppose/Supposing

1

Imagines-tu une situation IRRÉELLE ou IMPROBABLE (présent/futur) ?

YES
Utilise le PASSÉ SIMPLE après Suppose/Supposing. (ex: Suppose you had...)
NO
Passe à l'étape suivante.
2

Parles-tu d'une possibilité FUTURE RÉELLE ou PROBABLE ?

YES
Utilise le PRÉSENT SIMPLE après Suppose/Supposing. (ex: Supposing it rains...)
NO
Passe à l'étape suivante.
3

Imagines-tu une situation IRRÉELLE dans le PASSÉ (regret/contraire aux faits) ?

YES
Utilise le PASSÉ PARFAIT après Suppose/Supposing. (ex: Suppose he had known...)
NO
Tu utilises probablement 'suppose' comme un verbe régulier signifiant 'assumer'.

Quand utiliser Suppose & Supposing

🤔

Hypothèses

  • • Questions 'Et si...'
  • • Scénarios imaginaires
  • • Discussions de résolution de problèmes
🤝

Propositions

  • • Faire des suggestions
  • • Offrir des alternatives
  • • Idées collaboratives
😟

Préoccupations

  • • Exprimer des inquiétudes
  • • Anticiper des problèmes
  • • Scénarios du pire
✅

Conditions

  • • Établir des termes
  • • Définir des prérequis
  • • Comme les propositions en 'if'
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Exemples par niveau

1

Suppose it is cold?

Imagine if it is cold.

2

Suppose we eat now?

What if we eat now?

3

Suppose he is late?

What if he is late?

4

Suppose I help you?

What if I help you?

1

Suppose we buy a pizza?

What if we buy a pizza?

2

Suppose you lose your phone?

What if you lose your phone?

3

Suppose they don't come?

What if they don't come?

4

Suppose I call you later?

What if I call you later?

1

Suppose we went to Italy this summer?

What if we went to Italy this summer?

2

Supposing you had a car, where would you go?

If you had a car, where would you go?

3

Suppose she says no to your offer?

What if she says no to your offer?

4

Suppose we didn't have to work tomorrow?

Imagine if we didn't have to work tomorrow?

1

Suppose you were offered the job, would you take it?

If you were offered the job, would you take it?

2

Supposing the experiment fails, what is the next step?

If the experiment fails, what is the next step?

3

Suppose we hadn't taken that shortcut, we'd be lost now.

If we hadn't taken that shortcut, we'd be lost now.

4

Suppose they were to find out the truth?

What if they were to find out the truth?

1

Supposing, for a moment, that your theory holds water.

Let's assume your theory is correct for a moment.

2

Suppose we should find ourselves in a position of debt?

What if we found ourselves in debt?

3

Supposing he were to decline, the entire project would collapse.

If he were to decline, the project would fail.

4

Suppose you had been born in a different century?

Imagine if you had been born in a different century?

1

Suppose the unthinkable were to occur; are we prepared?

If the worst happened, are we ready?

2

Supposing as much, we must proceed with extreme caution.

Assuming that is true, we must be careful.

3

Suppose he had not the wit to see the trap?

What if he wasn't smart enough to see the trap?

4

Supposing the contrary to be true, the logic still fails.

Even if the opposite were true, the logic is bad.

Facile à confondre

Suppose & Supposing: The 'What If' Game vs Suppose vs. Supposed to

Learners confuse the hypothetical 'Suppose' with the obligation 'be supposed to'. They sound similar but have zero grammatical relation.

Suppose & Supposing: The 'What If' Game vs Suppose vs. If

Learners use 'Suppose' in the middle of a sentence like 'If'.

Suppose & Supposing: The 'What If' Game vs Suppose vs. Assuming

Both set up a premise, but 'Assuming' is more certain.

Erreurs courantes

✗

Suppose I am go?

✓

Suppose I go?

Don't use 'am' with a main verb in this structure.
✗

I am suppose to go.

✓

I am supposed to go.

This is a different rule (obligation). 'Suppose' without 'd' is for imagining.
✗

Suppose it will rain?

✓

Suppose it rains?

Don't use 'will' in the hypothetical clause.
✗

Suppose you happy?

✓

Suppose you are happy?

Every clause needs a verb.
✗

Suppose we to go?

✓

Suppose we go?

Don't use the infinitive 'to go' after the subject.
✗

Supposing he come?

✓

Supposing he comes?

Remember the third-person 's' in the present tense.
✗

Suppose you won?

✓

Suppose you win?

If it's a real possibility, use the present tense.
✗

Suppose you are a bird?

✓

Suppose you were a bird?

Use the past tense for impossible/imaginary things.
✗

Supposing he didn't saw us?

✓

Supposing he didn't see us?

After 'didn't', use the base form of the verb.
✗

Suppose we would go?

✓

Suppose we went?

Don't use 'would' in the 'Suppose' clause.
✗

Suppose he has been there yesterday?

✓

Suppose he had been there yesterday?

Use Past Perfect for past hypotheses.
✗

Supposing him to be right...

✓

Supposing he is right...

In modern English, a full clause is usually preferred over an accusative + infinitive.
✗

Suppose they were find out?

✓

Suppose they were to find out?

Need 'to' in the 'were to' hypothetical structure.

Structures de phrases

Suppose we ___ (present verb)?

Suppose you ___ (past verb), what would you do?

Supposing it ___ (present verb), will you still go?

Suppose you had ___ (past participle)...

Real World Usage

Texting friends very common

Suppose we just meet at the bar instead?

Business Brainstorming constant

Suppose our competitors lower their prices, how do we react?

Job Interview common

Suppose you had a conflict with a coworker, how would you handle it?

Travel Planning very common

Supposing the ferry is cancelled, is there a bus?

Legal/Contracts occasional

Supposing the tenant fails to pay, the landlord may terminate the lease.

Social Media Debates common

Suppose everyone had a universal basic income, would people still work?

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💡

Pense 'What If'

Imagine que tu veux te projeter dans l'avenir. Pense toujours à 'what if' pour te souvenir que ça introduit des scénarios hypothétiques. "Always associate suppose and supposing with 'what if' questions."
⚠️

Attention au temps verbal

Tu discutes d'une situation peu probable ou irréelle ? Utilise le passé simple. Par exemple, tu diras : Suppose you won. Si c'est pour un événement futur probable, utilise le présent simple : Supposing it rains.
🎯

Utilise-les pour des idées collaboratives

Tu travailles sur un projet universitaire ou en équipe ? Ces mots sont géniaux pour lancer des idées, car tes suggestions paraîtront ouvertes à la discussion,
fostering a more collaborative environment for your university projects or team meetings
.
🌍

Adoucir les suggestions

Dans les cultures anglophones, les demandes directes peuvent paraître brusques. Utilise 'suppose' ou 'supposing' pour adoucir tes propositions,
making it more polite and approachable, especially in professional contexts or with new acquaintances
.
💡

Des amis interchangeables

Pour la plupart des phrases conditionnelles, suppose et supposing sont interchangeables. Ne te prends pas la tête,
just use the one that feels most natural in the moment!

Smart Tips

Start your sentence with 'Suppose we...' instead of 'We should...'.

We should try the other restaurant. → Suppose we try the other restaurant?

Always jump one tense back. Present becomes Past.

Suppose I am rich? → Suppose I were rich?

Check if there is a 'be' verb. If not, it's a hypothesis, not an obligation.

I suppose to go. → Suppose I go?

Use 'Supposing' to introduce a potential problem.

If they say no, what then? → Supposing they say no, what's our next move?

Prononciation

/səˈpəʊz/

The 'Suppose' Stress

The stress is on the second syllable: su-PPOSE. The first syllable is a weak schwa /sə/.

Suppose it RAINS? (upward arrow)

Rising Intonation

Because these are often questions, the voice usually rises at the end of the clause.

Hypothetical Rise

Suppose you were RICH? ↗

Conveys curiosity and imagination.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Suppose starts the 'What If' show, use the past to let the dreaming grow!

Association visuelle

Imagine a giant question mark made of clouds. Inside the question mark is a small person looking at two different paths. One path is 'Real' (Present Tense) and the other is 'Dream' (Past Tense).

Rhyme

Suppose it's true, what will you do? Supposing it's not, give it a thought!

Story

Imagine you are a detective. You enter a room and say, 'Suppose the thief came through the window?' You use 'Suppose' to build a theory. Then you say, 'Supposing he had a key?' to build another. The word helps you build a world of possibilities.

Word Web

ImagineHypothesizeWhat ifAssumeSuggestSpeculate

Défi

Look at three objects near you. For each, create a 'Suppose' sentence. (e.g., 'Suppose this pen was made of gold?')

Notes culturelles

British speakers use 'Supposing' slightly more often than Americans in casual speech to introduce a hypothetical.

In academic writing, 'Suppose' is used to set up a premise for a logical proof or thought experiment.

Using 'Suppose' is considered a 'hedging' technique. It makes a suggestion sound less like an order, which is valued in UK and Canadian politeness.

From the Old French 'supposer', which comes from the Latin 'supponere' (sub- 'under' + ponere 'to place').

Amorces de conversation

“

Suppose you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?

“

Suppose you were given a one-way ticket to Mars, would you go?

“

Suppose we all stopped using social media tomorrow, how would the world change?

“

Suppose you had been born in a different country, how would your life be different?

Sujets d'écriture

Suppose you woke up tomorrow with a superpower. Describe your first day.
Supposing you were the CEO of a major tech company, what three changes would you implement?
Suppose you had the chance to change one event in history. What would it be and why?
Suppose money didn't exist. How would society function?

Erreurs courantes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Choisis la forme correcte pour compléter la phrase.

Suppose we ____ more time, we could visit another museum.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: had
Pour une situation irréelle ou hypothétique au présent, nous utilisons la forme du passé simple du verbe après 'suppose'.
Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Supposing she arrives late, what will you do?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Supposing she arrives late, what will you do?
Ceci est une phrase de type première conditionnelle, indiquant une possibilité réelle dans le futur. Par conséquent, le présent simple 'arrives' est correct pour la proposition 'supposing'.
Traduis la phrase anglaise suivante en anglais, en complétant la proposition avec 'supposing'. Traduction

Translate into English: 'Suponiendo que el clima sea bueno, iremos a la playa.' (Supposing the weather...)

Answer starts with: ["S...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Supposing the weather is good, we will go to the beach."]
Pour une condition future probable, utilise le présent simple après 'supposing'.

Score: /3

Exercices pratiques

8 exercises
Choose the correct tense for a hypothetical (unlikely) situation. Choix multiple

Suppose you ___ (meet) a famous actor tomorrow, what would you say?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: met
We use the past tense 'met' for unlikely or imaginary future situations.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'suppose'.

I am ___ to be at the meeting by 9 AM.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: supposed
This sentence requires 'be supposed to' for obligation.
Correct the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Suppose it will snow tomorrow, will the school close?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Suppose it snows
We do not use 'will' in the clause following 'Suppose'.
Change the 'If' sentence to a 'Suppose' sentence. Sentence Transformation

If we miss the flight, what happens?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Suppose we miss the flight?
For a real possibility, keep the present tense.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: I'm worried about the presentation. B: ___ the projector breaks, we can just use handouts.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Suppose
'Suppose' introduces the hypothetical problem.
Which sentence is a suggestion? Grammar Sorting

Identify the suggestion.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Suppose we go for a walk?
Using 'we' + present tense is a common way to suggest a plan.
Match the scenario to the correct tense. Match Pairs

Match: 1. Real possibility, 2. Imaginary, 3. Past counterfactual

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Present, 2-Past, 3-Past Perfect
This is the standard tense backshifting rule for conditionals.
Choose the best option for a past impossible situation. Choix multiple

Suppose you ___ (not/take) that job ten years ago?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: hadn't taken
Use Past Perfect for things that happened in the past but you are imagining differently.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Choisis la forme correcte. Texte trous

Suppose you ____ unlimited money, what would be your first purchase?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: had
Trouve et corrige l'erreur. Error Correction

Supposing they did not call, should I worry?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Supposing they do not call, should I worry?
Quelle phrase est correcte ? Choix multiple

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Suppose he arrived late, we should start without him.
Tape la phrase anglaise correcte. Traduction

Translate into English: 'Imagina que tuvieras un superpoder, ¿cuál elegirías?' (Suppose you...)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Suppose you had a superpower, which one would you choose?"]
Mets les mots dans l'ordre. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Supposing we don't have the money, what then?
Associe chaque situation hypothétique à son temps verbal correct. Match Pairs

Match the clauses with the correct verb tense for `suppose/supposing`:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choisis la forme correcte. Texte trous

Supposing she ____ the message, she didn't respond.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: received
Trouve et corrige l'erreur. Error Correction

Suppose you were going to move, where you will live?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Suppose you were going to move, where would you live?
Quelle phrase est correcte ? Choix multiple

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Supposing the exam is cancelled, what will happen?
Mets les mots dans l'ordre. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Suppose he missed the bus, what if?
Choisis la forme correcte. Texte trous

Supposing she ____ the job, she'd move to another city.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: got
Associe le début de la phrase à la fin correcte. Match Pairs

Match the sentence halves:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched

Score: /12

FAQ (8)

They are almost identical. 'Suppose' is more common as a verb/imperative, while 'Supposing' is a participle. In most sentences, you can swap them without changing the meaning.

It's rare. Usually, 'Suppose' starts the sentence. If you need a word for the middle, use `if` or `provided that`.

Not always, but it usually implies a question. You can say 'Suppose we go.' as a statement, but it's often punctuated as a question: 'Suppose we go?'

No. You use 'would' in the *other* part of the sentence (the result). For example: 'Suppose you won (clause), what *would* you do (result)?'

This is called the 'Hypothetical Past'. It shows that the situation is 'distant' from reality.

It's neutral. It's used in both casual conversation and formal business meetings.

Just make the clause negative: 'Suppose it *doesn't* rain?' or 'Suppose you *hadn't* seen him?'

Yes, you can say 'Suppose that we go...', but in modern English, 'that' is usually omitted.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

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Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Supongamos que / En el caso de que

Spanish requires the subjunctive; English uses the indicative past for hypotheticals.

French high

Supposons que / À supposer que

French almost always requires the subjunctive mood after this phrase.

German moderate

Angenommen / Gesetzt den Fall

German structure often requires a specific word order (Verb second) in the following clause.

Japanese partial

もしも (Moshimo) / 仮に (Karini)

Japanese relies on verb endings (like -tara) rather than just a starting word to show it's a hypothesis.

Arabic moderate

افترض أن (Iftirid anna)

The tense of the following verb in Arabic follows different rules for possibility vs. impossibility.

Chinese moderate

假设 (Jiǎshè) / 要是 (Yàoshi)

Chinese does not have verb tenses, so it relies entirely on context and time markers to show if the situation is real or imaginary.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Conclure des Accords : Provided That & Providing That
Next
À condition que (On Condition That)

Learn These First

B1 Builds On

Le Second Conditionnel : Rêver avec 'If' et 'Would'

### Overview Le **Second Conditional** (le second conditionnel) est une structure grammaticale fondamentale en anglais....

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