Cool MateSuppose vs What if __ told someone
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Suppose
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
What if __ told someone
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Suppose
| Suppose | What if __ told someone | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈpəʊz/","/səˈpəʊzɪz/","/səˈpəʊzd/","/səˈpəʊzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈpəʊz/","/səˈpəʊzɪz/","/səˈpəʊzd/","/səˈpəʊzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪf//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪf// |
| Meaning | to think something is true, especially for planning. | What happens if someone informs another person? |
| Example | Suppose we leave early, we might avoid traffic. | What if someone told you the secret to happiness? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | mistakenly, wrongly, commonly, be plausible to, be reasonable to, be absurd to, reason to suppose something | what if scenario, what if question, what if situation, what if idea |
| Antonyms | disbelieve, doubt, reject | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'suppose' vs 'supposed' — don't use them interchangeably., Using 'suppose' in a command form improperly., Mistakenly using 'suppose' with a noun instead of a clause. | Using 'who' instead of 'someone' in hypothetical phrases., Forgetting to use the past tense for actions not yet taken., Confusing 'what if' with 'if' phrases. |
| Usage notes | Typically used in situations where you're making assumptions or predictions. It's less appropriate in formal writing. In casual talks, it can indicate uncertainty. | Commonly used to introduce hypothetical situations or scenarios. Appropriate in both spoken and written English, but avoid in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Suppose vs What if __ told someone
What's the difference between Suppose and What if __ told someone?
Suppose: to think something is true, especially for planning. What if __ told someone: What happens if someone informs another person?
Which is more common: Suppose and What if __ told someone?
Suppose is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Suppose: Suppose we leave early, we might avoid traffic. What if __ told someone: What if someone told you the secret to happiness?
Can I use Suppose and What if __ told someone interchangeably?
Not always. Suppose and What if __ told someone are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.