When you say hypothetically speaking, does the sentences have to backshift like using

[B45]

When you say hypothetically speaking, does the sentences have to backshift like using were and would, or could it also be are and will.

 

[Rover_KE]

Please give an example.

 

[charliedeut]

Could you provide an example?

 

[B45]

Hypothetically speaking, if I were to meet the perfect girl tomorrow, I would very likely ask her to marry me.

VS

Hypothetically speaking, if I meet the perfect girl tomorrow, I will very likely ask her to marry me.

Bad example, but something similar to the sentences above.

 

[MikeNewYork]

They both work for me.

 

[Tdol]

You don't have to backshift, though you can, because hypothetically speaking does that job IMO.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

And you don't need to say "hypothetically speaking" in either version. It sounds stilted, and it's clear in both that you are speaking hypothetically.