Suppose I am vs. suppose I was

Question

A.  Suppose I was about to board a plane when suddenly I discovered I had forgotten my boarding pass.  What would I say, then, to the attendant?B.  Suppose I am about to board a plane when suddenly I discover I forgot my boarding pass.  What do I say, then, to the attendant?1.  Which of the suppositions above is correct?2.  If both are possible, when do I use A over B and vice versa?  I believe A is less likely to happen and B is more likely to happen.  Suppose I do not know whether the situation is less likely to happen or more likely to.  Which should I choose, then?3.  In B, instead of 'do', can I use 'am I going to'?  I believe 'am I going to' is more appropriate than 'will' here.  Would you agree?4.  In B, can I also use 'should' instead of 'do'?Please feel free to make corrections, if any, to my example sentences.  I would really appreciate your help.  Thanks.

Fandorin · Accepted Answer

Anonymous1. Which of the suppositions above is correct? Both are correct.
2. If both are possible, when do I use A over B and vice versa? I believe A is less likely to happen and B is more likely to happen. Suppose I do not know whether the situation is less likely to happen or more likely to. Which should I choose, then? With "suppose" you can use either present or past tense before mentioning situation the outcome of which is unknown and you're likely to go on about considering the events that might happen. Using a past tense makes the situation sound less likely.
3. In B, instead of 'do', can I use 'am I going to'? I believe 'am I going to' is more appropriate than 'will' here. Would you agree? Yes, "I am going to board" or "I'm boarding" are better since it seems you've planned it already.
4. In B, can I also use 'should' instead of 'do'? "Should" or "shall" will suffice.

CalifJim · Answer

A. Suppose I was about to board a plane when suddenly I discovered I had forgotten my boarding pass. What would I say, then, to the attendant?

B. Suppose I am about to board a plane when suddenly I discover I forgot my boarding pass. What do I say, then, to the attendant?

1. Which of the suppositions above is correct? Both are OK.

2. If both are possible, when do I use A over B and vice versa? I believe A is less likely to happen and B is more likely to happen. Likelihood has nothing to do with it. Suppose I do not know whether the situation is less likely to happen or more likely to. Which should I choose, then? It doesn't matter because that's not the difference.

Use B as a stylistic device to make the situation more exciting and vivid for your listeners. A is just a boring logic puzzle in comparison.

3. In B, instead of 'do', can I use 'am I going to'? Yes. I believe 'am I going to' is more appropriate than 'will' here. Would you agree? Yes, though will wouldn't be out of the question.

4. In B, can I also use 'should' instead of 'do'? Yes. That would be very idiomatic.

CJ

Fandorin · Answer

Hello Jim. "I'm boarding" will not sound awkward either, will it? <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you, Fandorin and CJ, for your helpful responses.

CalifJimLikelihood has nothing to do with it.

I wonder why likelihood has nothing to do with it, isn't 'suppose' similar to if-conditional (real and unreal)? I recall it is better to use the unreal/subjunctive form with 'would' if one doesn't know whether a situation is more likely to happen or not. Please see related link.

CalifJimUse B as a stylistic device to make the situation more exciting and vivid for your listeners. A is just a boring logic puzzle in comparison.

Would you say it's better to always use the "Suppose I am..."?
If not always, when is it more appropriate to use the "Suppose I was..."?

CalifJim · Answer

FandorinHello Jim. "I'm boarding" will not sound awkward either, will it?

No. That's common as mud! Suppose I'm boarding a plane ...

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI recall it is better to use the unreal/subjunctive form with 'would' if one doesn't know whether a situation is more likely to happen or not.

would is never the mark of the subjunctive, if that's what you're saying. But regardless, the word "suppose" already makes it clear that you are asking someone to imagine a situation that isn't real. If it were real, you wouldn't be "supposing" it. The supposition is made more exciting to think about if it's presented in the present tense. That's all.

AnonymousWould you say it's better to always use the "Suppose I am..."?

No. It is not better to use one or the other. You use the one that fits your personality and your mood at the time you say it. Are you approaching this as an abstract puzzle -- as a logician? Then use the less exciting form. Are you trying to motivate your listener with your enthusiasm for thinking about this problem? Then use the present tense form.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Hi CJ,

Thank you for your that clarification. It all makes sense to me now.

I'd want to sound enthusiastic, so I'd use the present tense with 'suppose'.

Again, thank you.

Fandorin · Answer

Thank you, Jim.

Suppose I am vs. suppose I was

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