You'd think... but

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Ashraful Haque

Senior Member
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May 14, 2019
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Student or Learner
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Bengali; Bangla
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Bangladesh
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Bangladesh
Different dictionary defines 'you'd think' in different ways. This is the definition I understood-
'It is used when we want to talk about when we have a certain expectation of a situation, but then it isn't true in reality.'

This is what I need help with:
1. (a) You'd think that the hotels here would be more expensive.
(b) You'd think that someone who's been in the military would be more disciplined.

2. (a) This restaurant is very expensive. You'd think that it would be good, but it's not.
(b) People in Africa are very poor. You'd think that they would b very unhappy, but many people are not.

As you can see 1 explains the situation as it seems without using 'but' to explain what the situation is actually like. Can it be used in both ways, with and without explaining the situation?

 
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Ashraful Haque, the font you used in post #1 was so small it was almost unreadable. I have put it in the standard font size. Please ensure you post in that font size in future.
 
I think the pictures are not complete in 1. One is left wondering how the situations came about.
 
The 1a and 1b sentences would obviously be in context, likely as part of a conversation.
 
Ashraful Haque, the font you used in post #1 was so small it was almost unreadable. I have put it in the standard font size. Please ensure you post in that font size in future.
I'm so sorry. I actually copied and pasted a few things and then forgot to change the font size.
 
The 1a and 1b sentences would obviously be in context, likely as part of a conversation.
Say me and my friend are fishing. But unfortunately we aren't able to catch any fish. So in such situation can I say "you'd think there would be a lot of fish here", to mean that there aren't many fish here?

Or, I'm at an expensive restaurant with my friend. Both of us are waiting for our food all of a sudden I say to my friend- "You'd think their services would be better than our usual place."

In both contexts I didn't say 'but' and explain what the situation is actually like. Do we use this phrase like this?
 
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