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SuperESL Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Thought - would think
"Otherwise, one cannot fathom why they [thought] the plan might work."
"Otherwise, one cannot fathom why they [would think] the plan might work."
What difference in meaning - no matter how subtle - does it make whether you use 'thought' or 'would think' in the sentence above? Thanks.
Joseph
"Otherwise, one cannot fathom why they [would think] the plan might work."
What difference in meaning - no matter how subtle - does it make whether you use 'thought' or 'would think' in the sentence above? Thanks.
Joseph
Top answer
The first suggests more confidence in the speaker's view of what 'they' actually thought. That is the only difference I see as your sentences stand. Of course, the 2nd could also be part of a conditional clause instead.
- The first suggests more confidence in the speaker's view of what 'they' actually thought.
- That is the only difference I see as your sentences stand.
- Of course, the 2nd could also be part of a conditional clause instead.
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1 Answers
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The first suggests more confidence in the speaker's view of what 'they' actually thought. That is the only difference I see as your sentences stand. Of course, the 2nd could also be part of a conditional clause instead.
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