B1 • Lesson 38 of 75

Discussing Hypothetical Scenarios

Explore "what if" situations with confidence

📖 Description & Narrative
📖 Do Prep First →

The Spark: What If?

Hypothetical scenarios are everywhere in conversations - imagining different outcomes, exploring possibilities, and thinking through "what if" situations.

Compare these responses to the question: "What would you do if you won the lottery?"

❌ Too Stiff

"I would buy a house. I would travel. I would invest money."

Sounds like a list, not a real conversation!

✓ Natural

"If I were in that situation, I'd definitely buy a house. Imagine if I didn't have to work! Honestly, I would probably travel for a year first."

Feels like real thinking and storytelling!

Hypothetical language helps you explore possibilities and make imaginary situations feel real in conversation.

Today you'll learn: Five natural phrases for discussing "what if" scenarios with fluency and confidence.

Micro-Skill: Hypothetical Openers

Use these phrases to smoothly discuss imaginary situations:

"If I were in that situation..." Click to expand
USE
For personal hypothetical scenarios
FORM
If I were + situation, I would/would probably...
NOTE
Use "were" not "was" (conditional)

Examples:

"If I were in that situation, I'd ask for help immediately."

"If I were the boss, I would change the policy right away."

🎤 NOW YOU TRY

Complete: "If I were in my boss's position, I would..."

"Imagine if..." Click to expand
USE
To invite others to think about scenarios
FEEL
Conversational and engaging
PATTERN
Imagine if + clause (then describe)

Examples:

"Imagine if you could live anywhere in the world!"

"Imagine if we didn't need to sleep - what would you do?"

🎤 NOW YOU TRY

Start: "Imagine if you won a free trip anywhere..."

"In that case, I would probably..." Click to expand
USE
Responding to "what if" questions with uncertainty
NOTE
"Probably" shows you're not 100% certain
FEEL
Thoughtful and realistic

Examples:

"In that case, I would probably talk to a lawyer first."

"In that case, I would probably quit my job."

🎤 NOW YOU TRY

Respond: "If you got fired unexpectedly, what would you do?"

"Hypothetically speaking..." Click to expand
USE
To signal you're exploring an idea, not being serious
TONE
More formal/thoughtful
PURPOSE
Explores interesting but unrealistic scenarios

Examples:

"Hypothetically speaking, if humans lived for 200 years, what would change?"

"Hypothetically speaking, what would you do if you could read minds?"

🎤 NOW YOU TRY

Start: "Hypothetically speaking, if you could have any superpower..."

"What I would do is..." Click to expand
USE
Clear, direct answer to hypothetical questions
EMPHASIS
Stresses YOUR action plan
PATTERN
What I would do is + specific action

Examples:

"What I would do is save the money for five years."

"What I would do is move to the city and start a business."

🎤 NOW YOU TRY

Complete: "If you had to move to another country, what I would do is..."

Guided Practice: Exploring Scenarios

For each scenario, respond naturally using hypothetical language:

Scenario 1

🚗 Career Choice
You have a job offer that pays double but requires moving to another country

How would you decide? What would you do?

💡 Try: "If I were in that situation, I would... Imagine if I had to leave my family..."

Scenario 2

🏠 Life Situation
You find out your best friend has been saying negative things about you

What would you do?

💡 Try: "In that case, I would probably... What I would do is..."

Scenario 3

💭 Imagination
Time travel becomes possible

Give a full response (45+ seconds)

💡 Try: "Hypothetically speaking, if I could travel back in time... Imagine if I could visit the future..."

Free Production: The Hypothetical Game

Explore these "what if" scenarios. Use different hypothetical phrases!

Speaking Timer

7:00

Your Hypotheticals:

💼 Professional
What would you do if you inherited a large amount of money?
🌍 Global
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
⏰ Time
Imagine if you could go back and give advice to your younger self
🎯 Personal
What would you do if you failed at something really important to you?

Goal: Use a different phrase for each scenario. Describe details and reasoning!

Recall Zone

Lesson 32 (Speculating) + Lesson 14 (Preferences)

Click to test your memory!

From Lesson 32: What phrase shows you're making an educated guess?

"I'd say that..." or "I'd guess that..."

Used when you don't know for sure but have a reasonable idea.

From Lesson 14: Name 2 ways to express what you prefer

"I'd rather..."

"I'd prefer..."

"I'm more of a... person"

From Lesson 32: What word helps you sound uncertain about speculation?

"Maybe" or "Probably"

Show you're making an assumption, not stating fact.

🎤 Combined Practice

Respond using SPECULATION + PREFERENCES:

"If you weren't able to work in your current field, what would you do?"

Try: "I'd guess that... I'd prefer to... If I were in that situation, I would probably..."

Self-Check

📋 Today's "I Can" Statement

I can discuss hypothetical scenarios naturally and fluently

How confident do you feel?

1 = Need more practice | 5 = I've got this!

Quick Review: Hypothetical Phrases

✓ "If I were in that situation..." = Personal hypothetical

✓ "Imagine if..." = Invite others to think

✓ "In that case, I would probably..." = Response with uncertainty

✓ "Hypothetically speaking..." = Unrealistic but interesting

✓ "What I would do is..." = Clear, direct action

Your Mission Before Lesson 39:

Notice how native speakers respond to "what if" questions in videos, podcasts, or conversations. What phrases do they use naturally?

← Lesson 37