who would think

USAGE SUMMARY

"who would think" is a perfectly acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
Generally, it is used to express surprise or disbelief. For example: "Who would think that a small town in the Midwest could host an international conference?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Who would think of something like that?

The New York Times - Sports

"Who would think?" she said, shaking her head.

The New York Times

Who would think of doing a thing like that?

The New Yorker

But who would think of shuttling trees around the landscape?

The New York Times

And yet who would think it from our theatre-fare?

The Guardian

"Who would think someone could be that cold?" she said.

The New York Times

Who would think he's the sexiest, awesomest guy alive?' And she popped into my head.

The New York Times

The ballet boards wanted someone who would think about them, and the audience.

The New Yorker

Who would think that reciting the titles of Warhol's paintings could be poetry?

The New York Times

Who would think that a guy studying geysers would have anything to do with helping to map cancer genes?

The New Yorker

"Who would think these kids out here would think of something like this and execute it?" Ms. Smith said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "who would think" to express surprise or disbelief about an unexpected situation or outcome. It's particularly effective when highlighting an ironic or counterintuitive result.

Common error

Avoid using "who would think" in contexts where a direct answer is expected. It's primarily rhetorical and not suitable for seeking genuine information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who would think" functions as a rhetorical question, used to express surprise, disbelief, or astonishment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used in written English. Examples show it often introduces a surprising fact or outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "who would think" is a rhetorical question used to express surprise or disbelief, as verified by Ludwig AI. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts. Its usage is generally neutral, making it suitable for a variety of settings. To avoid misuse, remember that it expresses surprise, not a genuine request for information. Alternatives like "who could imagine" or "it's surprising that" can add nuance. With its frequent appearance in various sources, "who would think" is a versatile and readily understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who could imagine

Focuses on the ability to foresee or anticipate something, rather than just thinking it.

who could have guessed

Emphasizes the element of guessing or predicting an outcome.

who might expect

Highlights the element of expectation or anticipation.

who could believe

Shifts the focus to the believability of a situation or statement.

who would have believed

Focuses on past belief, suggesting a stronger sense of incredulity.

who ever thought

Adds emphasis with "ever", implying a long period of disbelief.

it's hard to believe

Changes from a question to a statement of disbelief.

it's surprising that

Indicates something unexpected or astonishing.

would anyone have thought

Presents the idea in the form of a rhetorical question, inviting agreement.

it defies belief

Expresses a strong sense of incredulity, suggesting something is almost impossible to believe.

FAQs

How can I use "who would think" in a sentence?

Use "who would think" to express surprise or disbelief regarding an unlikely or unexpected event. For instance, "Who would think that a geyser expert would contribute to cancer research?"

What does "who would think" mean?

The phrase "who would think" is a rhetorical question used to express surprise, disbelief, or astonishment at an unexpected or unlikely situation or outcome. It implies that the situation was not easily foreseeable.

What are some alternatives to "who would think"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "who could imagine", "it's surprising that", or "who could have guessed", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "who would have thought" instead of "who would think"?

Yes, "who would have thought" is also correct and commonly used. It emphasizes a reflection on past events and a sense of disbelief about what has already occurred, while "who would think" can also refer to present or future situations.