I wouldn't think so.

[suprunp]

[Tamaru:] However, when it comes to luggage, I have been asked to tell you that you should be able to keep both hands free.”
“Keep both hands free,” Tengo repeated. “So, a suitcase wouldn’t work, would it?”
“I wouldn’t think so.”
(H. Murakami; 1Q84)

As far as I'm concerned what Tamaru says can be interpreted this way:
"I wouldn't think that a suitcase would work."

Is it possible to say 'I would think so.' meaning 'I would think that your suggestion is right.'

Thanks.

[shannico]

[Tamaru:] However, when it comes to luggage, I have been asked to tell you that you should be able to keep both hands free.”
“Keep both hands free,” Tengo repeated. “So, a suitcase wouldn’t work, would it?”
“I wouldn’t think so.”
(H. Murakami; 1Q84)

As far as I'm concerned what Tamaru says can be interpreted this way:
"I wouldn't think that a suitcase would work."

Is it possible to say 'I would think so.' meaning 'I would think that your suggestion is right.'

Thanks.

I think it could get a bit confusing that way.
Plus, with verbs like think it's always advisable to use a negative form with think in the main sentence as opposed to the verb in the relative clause.

I wouldn't think so (that it would work)
I would think so (that it wouldn't work)

You're far more likely to say:

I don't think he'll call in later
than
I think he won't call in later.

He won't call in later, will he? I Don't think so (that he will)
He won't call in later, will he? I think so (that he won't).

Hope it's clear.

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****




It reminded me that this may occur in some countries:

American tourist in country X: Don't you have any bananas?

Merchant: Yes.

American: Well, where are they?

Merchant: I said, "Yes, we do not have any bananas. What's wrong with

you? Don't you understand English?"

[suprunp]

He won't call in later, will he? I Don't think so (that he will)
He won't call in later, will he? I think so (that he won't).

Does it mean that regardless of the form of my answer (either 'I don't think so', or 'I think so') you would suggest that I 'do not think that he will come'/'think that he will not come' or am I misreading this?

Thanks.

[shannico]

p.s. Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear enough...

He won't call in later, will he? I don't think so (that he will)
He won't call in later, will he ? I think so (that he won't = that was a parallel example to your II would think so - that your suggestion is right)

If I asked
He won't call in later, will he?
and someone replied
I think so - i'd be inclined to think that they will call in. The answer is to "will he (call)? ".

[spongie]

He won't call in later, will he? I don't think so (that he will)
He won't call in later, will he? I think so (that he won't = that was a parallel example to your II would think so - that your suggestion is right)

If I asked
He won't call in later, will he?
and someone replied
I think so - i'd be inclined to think that they will call in. The answer is to "will he (call)? ".

These are two contrary explanations to the same example. Maybe I didn't understand it correctly...

[shannico]

In my first post I replied to Suprunp's example, i.e:


Is it possible to say 'I would think so.' meaning 'I would think that your suggestion is right.'

Therefore I came up with another example along his lines, i.e.:


He won't call in later, will he? I think so (that he won't = that was a parallel example to your II would think so - that your suggestion is right)

Then I've explained why to me I think so means that he will call in later.

If I asked
He won't call in later, will he?
and someone replied
I think so - i'd be inclined to think that they will call in. The answer is to "will he (call)? ".

I hope it's clearer now.