You'd think that someone who has/had been in the military

[NAL123]

Imagine that the company John works for is a very large client for another company. However, when he makes requests to this other company, they refuse. He can't believe that they're not treating him better. John says this:

1) You'd think that they would be a little more accommodating, considering how much money we are spending with them.

2) You'd think that they would be a little more accommodating, considering how much money we were spending with them. (Using "were" to be consistent with the hypothetical "you would think")

Q1: Can either of (1) and (2) be said in the above context?

Now imagine that John's in the army, but he's living a totally undisciplined life. John's friend says:

3) You'd think that someone who has been in the military would be more disciplined.

4) You'd think that someone who had been in the military would be more disciplined. (Using "had been" to be consistent with the hypothetical "you would think")

Q2: Can either of (3) and (4) be said in the above context?

 

[Tarheel]

In the first pair, I would only use #1.

In the second pair, since John is still in the army, neither works. Perhaps:

You would think anybody in the army would be more disciplined.

 

[jutfrank]

1) You'd think that they would be a little more accommodating, considering how much money we are spending with them.

2) You'd think that they would be a little more accommodating, considering how much money we were spending with them. (Using "were" to be consistent with the hypothetical "you would think")

Q1: Can either of (1) and (2) be said in the above context?

No. Only 1 is right.

Now imagine that John's in the army, but he's living a totally undisciplined life. John's friend says:

3) You'd think that someone who has been in the military would be more disciplined.

4) You'd think that someone who had been in the military would be more disciplined. (Using "had been" to be consistent with the hypothetical "you would think")

Q2: Can either of (3) and (4) be said in the above context?

You mean he's in the army presently, so say 'someone who is in the military'.

 

[5jj]

2) You'd think that they would be a little more accommodating, considering how much money we were spending with them. (Using "were" to be consistent with the hypothetical "you would think")

There is nothing hypothetical about the considering clause.

 

[NAL123]

Just one more question, please:

Is the following sentence correct?

Anyone would think he owns the place, from the way he talks! (In reality, he doesn't)

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, that's fine.

 

[5jj]

Anyone would think he owns the place, from the way he talks! (In reality, he doesn't)

In this hypothetical situation, I would expect 'owned'.