What is Be supposed to in English? Correct usage of Be supposed to in English

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Understanding "be supposed to" in English opens doors to clearer communication and more precise expression. This versatile phrase appears in countless conversations, yet many learners struggle with its proper usage and meaning. Mastering this construction will elevate your English proficiency and help you avoid common mistakes.

I. What is Be supposed to?
II. How to use Be supposed to
III. Synonymous phrases with Be supposed to in English
IV. Differentiating between Be supposed to and other phrases with similar shades of meaning
V. Frequently asked questions about Be supposed to in English
VI. Exercises on Be supposed to in English
1. 1. Exercises
2. 2. Answer

I. What is Be supposed to?

In English, Be supposed to is pronounced as /bɪ səˈpoʊzd t̬ə/. It functions as a phrase and has multiple meanings. For example:

Meaning	Definition	Example
Expectation/Obligation	What someone is required or expected to do	"You're supposed to submit your assignment by Friday."
Belief/Rumor	What people generally say or believe	"The new restaurant is supposed to be excellent."
Intended Purpose	What something is designed or meant for	"This key is supposed to open the main door."

II. How to use Be supposed to

Constructing proper sentences with "be supposed to" in English requires understanding its fundamental structure and variations. The basic pattern follows a simple formula that adapts to different subjects, tenses, and sentence types.

Structure Type	Formula	Examples
Basic Structure	Subject + "Be" + "Supposed To" + Base Verb	"She is supposed to arrive at noon"
Present Tense	Subject + am/is/are + supposed to + verb	"I am supposed to call you"
Past Tense	Subject + was/were + supposed to + verb	"We were supposed to meet yesterday"
Future Tense	Subject + will be + supposed to + verb	"They will be supposed to attend"
Negative Form	Subject + be + not + supposed to + verb	"You are not supposed to enter"
Question Form	Be + subject + supposed to + verb?	"Are you supposed to wear formal attire?"

III. Synonymous phrases with Be supposed to in English

Please keep in mind some synonymous phrases with Be supposed to in English in the table below!

Synonymous phrases with Be supposed to in English	Example
Meant to (be/do something)	I was never meant to be a teacher.
Ought to be	In a fair society, opportunities ought to be available to everyone regardless of their background.
Need to be	Before the event, all the decorations need to be set up to create a festive atmosphere.
Should be	In a team, communication should be clear and transparent to ensure smooth collaboration.
Should have been	The project deadline passed, and the report should have been submitted by now; we need to address this delay.

IV. Differentiating between Be supposed to and other phrases with similar shades of meaning

Distinguishing "be supposed to" in English from similar constructions prevents confusion and ensures precise communication. Each alternative carries unique implications and appropriate contexts.

Expression	Primary Meaning	Example Usage	Key Difference
Be supposed to	External expectation or established rule	"You're supposed to arrive at 9 AM."	Based on external requirements or agreements
Should	Advice or recommendation	"You should exercise regularly."	Personal opinion or general wisdom
Have to	Strong obligation or necessity	"I have to finish this project tonight."	Immediate, unavoidable requirement
Must	Urgent necessity or strong belief	"You must see this movie!"	Emphatic insistence or certainty
Ought to	Moral duty or expectation	"We ought to help our neighbors."	Ethical obligation or proper behavior

V. Frequently asked questions about Be supposed to in English

Is "be supposed to" formal or informal?

"Be supposed to" in English maintains neutral formality, making it appropriate for both casual conversations and professional communications. It fits comfortably in academic writing, business correspondence, and everyday speech.

Can "be supposed to" be used in all tenses?

Yes, "be supposed to" in English adapts to all tenses through changes in the auxiliary verb "be" while keeping "supposed to" constant. Past uses "was/were supposed to," present employs "am/is/are supposed to," and future uses "will be supposed to."

When can I use "be expected to" instead of "be supposed to"?

"Be expected to" works as a substitute when discussing anticipated outcomes, particularly in formal contexts. However, "be expected to" doesn't work well for rumors or beliefs, where "be supposed to" in English remains the better choice.

Does "be expected to" mean the same as "be required to"?

"Be required to" expresses stronger obligation than "be expected to," which allows more flexibility. "Required" suggests mandatory participation with consequences, while "expected" indicates strong preference but might permit exceptions.

VI. Exercises on Be supposed to in English

To reinforce your knowledge of Be supposed to in English, PREP prepared some complete exercises below!

1. Exercises

Exercise 1: Conjugate the verb "suppose" correctly

Complete each sentence by using the correct form of "suppose" based on the subject and context.

I __________ you know what you’re doing.
She __________ to be here at 8, but she’s still not here.
We __________ to go on a trip next month.
What __________ you do if you lost your passport?
You __________ to ask permission before using that equipment.
He __________ that the meeting was canceled.
This rule __________ to apply to everyone equally.
They __________ I’d already seen the movie.
The children __________ to be asleep by now.
I ________ we’ll be a bit late.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the sentences using “be supposed to”

Change the meaning-neutral sentence into one using “be supposed to” with the correct tense and form.

It’s expected that Tom will finish the report by Friday.
We planned to meet at the café at 4 PM.
It’s the rule that visitors wear a badge.
You were expected to inform me earlier.
There is a rumor that this app works offline.

2. Answer

Exercise 1	Exercise 2
suppose is supposed are supposed would you suppose are supposed supposed is supposed supposed are supposed suppose	Tom is supposed to finish the report by Friday. We were supposed to meet at the café at 4 PM. Visitors are supposed to wear a badge. You were supposed to inform me earlier. This app is supposed to work offline.

PREP hopes that through this article, you have gained an understanding of what Be supposed to is, its structure, usage, and a list of synonymous phrases with Be supposed to in English. Keep following PREP to stay updated with more helpful English knowledge!

Chloe

Product Content Admin

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.