What is the difference between the phrases "hypothetically speaking" and "theoretically speaking"? If one wants to make a point using an example that would likely never happen, which phrase would be more appropriate?
Learn English – “hypothetically speaking” vs “theoretically speaking”
adverbsdifferencesidiomsmeaningword-choice
Best Answer
A hypothesis and a theory are different – the exact differences depend on what field you are in. But “hypothetically speaking” vs “theoretically speaking” have a different set of meaning.
“hypothetically speaking” would be "if X were true what would it mean for Y”.
e.g. “hypothetically speaking, if the sun were a binary star what would it mean for Earth”
While “theoretically speaking” means it is possible in theory but not necessarily in practice.
e.g. “theoretically speaking, you can solve all of chemistry by just knowing the wave equation for the entire system” (although in practice it's impossible for all but the simplest case)