Expressing Hypotheticals and Speculation

Definition
➧ Hypotheticals involve imagining unreal situations; speculation is forming theories without firm evidence.

Common usage
➧ Discussing possibilities, giving advice, predicting outcomes.

Imagines past events with different outcomes.

Structure
➧ If + past perfect, would have + past participle.
➦ If I had known, I would have gone.

Combines past conditions with present results.

Structure
➧ If + past perfect, would + base form.
➦ If they had taken the train, they would be here now.

Modals for Speculation
➧ Might
➧ Could
➧ May
➧ Must

➦ It might rain tomorrow.