I would have thought

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Used to say politely that you believe something is true or should be the case, often when you are surprised it is not.

   Grammar: Comes before the idea you believe: I would have thought (that) you'd be tired. Often followed by that + clause.

   Patterns

   • I would have thought (that) + clause
   • I would have thought so
   • I would have thought not

   I would have thought you'd want to know about the change before everyone else.

   I would have thought the tickets were sold out by now, but there are still some left.

   A: Is she coming to the party? B: I would have thought so — she said she'd try.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasedisapproving

   Used to suggest gently that someone has done something wrong or made a mistake, without accusing them directly.

   Grammar: Often sounds a little critical but polite; the stress falls on would.

   Patterns

   • I would have thought you'd + verb
   • I would have thought it was obvious

   I would have thought you'd call your mother to tell her you arrived safely.

   I would have thought it was obvious that we can't leave the door unlocked at night.

Common combinations

I would have thought so

A: Will it rain later? B: I would have thought so, looking at those clouds.

I would have thought not

A: Is the shop open on Sundays? B: I would have thought not, but you can check online.

I would have thought that ...

I would have thought that the meeting would be shorter than this.

you would have thought

You would have thought they'd learned their lesson by now.

Synonyms and how they differ

I'd have thought

The shortened form is much more common in speech; the full form sounds more emphatic.

I should think

Very similar in British English, but 'I should think' can sound a little more old-fashioned or upper-class.

I imagine

Softer and less certain; it does not carry the slight criticism that 'I would have thought' often does.

Word family

would modal verb

The modal verb used here to show an expected or assumed situation.

thought verb

Past participle of 'think', used in this phrase to mean 'believed'.

Commonly confused: I would have thought or I would think? I would have thought or I thought?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “I would have thought”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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