Englishsz  +  395999 Tue, 24 Jul 07 11:20 AM Doctor:   " Good news Mr. Walters, We're going to implant the "second" best heart valve. " Patient:   " You'd never say it. Why do it? " Question: 1. 'd = would / could / should? 2. You'd never say it = Really ? 3. Why do it? What does it stand for? Does it refer to the implantation operation? Englishsz Joined on Thu, Dec 14 2006 Full Member 139

	nona the brit  +  396030 Tue, 24 Jul 07 01:06 PM 'd is always either would or had, not could or should. In this sentence 'would' is correct.  It's a strange thing to say though and the patient's response doesn't make a lot of sense. Are you sure of the wording? nona the brit Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004 England Veteran Member 11,713 The name says it all.

	Marius Hancu  +  396039 Tue, 24 Jul 07 01:13 PM  Nona The Brit wrote: 'd is always either would or had, not could or should. In this sentence 'would' is correct.  It's a strange thing to say though and the patient's response doesn't make a lot of sense. I would've expected the patient's answer to be along the lines of: You don't say. BBC - h2g2 - Uncle Ned Needed a Drink - (UG) "You don't say. Is that your name then? Charlie?" "Sure thing, Boss," replied Ned with all the authentic credibility he could muster. ... Marius Hancu Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006 Veteran Member 11,673

	nona the brit  +  396042 Tue, 24 Jul 07 01:19 PM That makes sense Marius, I think the original is misremembered! OP 'You don't say' is a way of expressing surprise/disbelief at what has been said. It isn't anything about people saying or not saying something. nona the brit

	Englishsz  +  396316 Wed, 25 Jul 07 04:23 AM No, I didn't misremember the original. In fact, the text is printed in the cover of a heart valve brochure. I've been confused  and can't find a reasonable translation for it except for wild guesses. Englishsz Translation

	nona the brit  +  396354 Wed, 25 Jul 07 07:21 AM Weird. nona the brit

	CalifJim  +  396367 Wed, 25 Jul 07 07:58 AM Now that you have revealed that the context is an advertisement for a heart valve (the best according to the ad!), it's perfectly clear (except for the labels doctor and patient). The heart valve manufacturer is saying to the prospective customer, a doctor: You would never tell a patient that you were going to implant the second best heart valve into his body, so why would you ever actually do it, that is, why would you implant the second best heart valve into his body.  Buy our (first best) heart valve and save yourself the embarrassment of using a second best product. With that in mind: Question: 1. 'd = would / could / should?  would  (It can never be could or should, by the way.) 2. You'd never say it = Really ?  No.  It doesn't mean really.  It means you would never say what the doctor said in the first line.  You would never tell a patient that you were going to use an inferior product for his operation. 3. Why do it? What does it stand for? Does it refer to the implantation operation?  Yes.  Why do it? = Why do the operation (with an inferior product)? CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,475 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche