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Anyone would think he owns the place

English Language & Usage Asked on December 2, 2020

Consider these sentences, please:

  1. You would think he is a good father, but he isn’t.

  2. Anyone would think he owns the place, from the way he talks! (he doesn’t own)

Can I replace the indicative verbs in 1) and 2) with their corresponding subjunctive forms, with no change in meaning?

  1. You would think he was a good father, but he isn’t.

  2. Anyone would think he owned the place, from the way he talks! (he doesn’t own)

One Answer

Can I replace the indicative verbs in 1) and 2) with their corresponding subjunctive forms ...

You would think he was a good father, but he isn't.

No, because this is isn't the subjunctive. For that to be so, you would have to say:

You would think he were a good father, but he isn't.

That doesn't work because "think" doesn't take the subjunctive.

Answered by chasly - supports Monica on December 2, 2020

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