English Grammar – Hypothesis – Explanations with examples

In English grammar, we use the term “hypotheses” (the plural of “hypothesis”) to describe explanations or theories that are subject to testing and validation. Although it is more commonly used in scientific contexts, in English grammar, it is used via conditional statements or situations that are imagined or considered for discussion.

Hypotheses are often formed by using conditional clauses, typically using “if” and “then.” For example: “If it snows, then we will go skiing” Here, the hypothesis is the condition that needs to be fulfilled (it will snow) to reach a conclusion (go skiing).

Expressions commonly used when forming Hypothesis sentences

• What…if?
• In case
• Suppose – that
• Supposing – that
• Imagine – if/that

Examples of Hypothesis sentences

• We use  present tense forms when we want to talk about the present or future if we think something is probably  true or is going to happen:

We should phone them in case they are lost.

• We use  past tense forms when we want to talk about the present or future to suggest something is probably not  true or will not happen:

Imagine you won the lottery. What would you buy with the money?
What if he lost his job? What would happen then?

• with the past perfect to talk about things in the past which did not happen:

Suppose you hadn’t passed your exams. What would you have done?
What if we discovered life on another planet? What do you think they would look like