0
Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

I would've thought/I would think

Greetings,

If you hadn't told me you were 13, I would've thought you were 16.
If you hadn't told me you were 13, I would think you are 16.

Hm, are both correct and interchangeable in this context? -.^
  

Top answer

They're both correct, but they are not interchangeable. The first sentence refers to the past only, whereas the second is refers to the past and the present.

  • They're both correct, but they are not interchangeable.
  • The first sentence refers to the past only, whereas the second is refers to the past and the present.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

9 Answers
0
They're both correct, but they are not interchangeable.

The first sentence refers to the past only, whereas the second is refers to the past and the present.
0
I'm a little confused about the second parts of the sentences.
I want to say that if she hadn't told me she was 13, I would still think she's 16(now at this very moment).
0
AnonymousI'm a little confused about the second parts of the sentences.
I want to say that if she hadn't told me she was 13, I would still think she's 16(now at this very moment).
Then the second sentence is right for you. My guess is that you are mistaking would to be in the past tense. In these kinds of conditional structures, would indicat
0
Aspara GusThen the second sentence is right for you. My guess is that you are mistaking would to be in the past tense. In these kinds of conditional structures, would indicates the present, and would have indicates the past.
I understand the sentences impeccably. I just didn't know what was a logical choice.

(If you hadn't told me(but she did tell me)
0
Both are correct, but they are not interchangeable. Here's a free resource that will clarify this issue for you:
0
Oh my...I know that both are correct.

If you hadn't told me you were 13, I would've thought you were 16. - She did tell me and I didn't think she was 16. I still don't.

If you hadn't told me you were 13, I would think you are 16. - She did tell me, as well. And I still don't think she is 16. I know she is 13.

In both cases she told me she was 13. Could anyone help me wit
0
AnonymousIf you hadn't told me you were 13, I would've thought you were 16. - She did tell me and I didn't think she was 16. I still don't.
Although your analysis of the meaning of the sentence is largely correct, the speaker probably had some idea in mind of the the other person being 16. Perhaps this was not a conscious thought, but the fact that the words w
0
He called her last night. Here's what she said the day after:

If he was gone, he wouldn't have called.

Did she mean something like: If he was gone(now), he wouldn't have called.(past)
Would there be any difference if she had said: If he had been gone, he wouldn't have called. ?
0
Oh, the post above isn't relevant to the'would've or would' case.

Related Questions