Understanding “Be Supposed to” in English
When learning English, certain phrases can be tricky, and “be supposed to” is one of them. This phrase functions similarly to modal verbs, which are auxiliary verbs that add meaning to the main verb in a sentence, expressing possibility, ability, permission, or obligation. “Supposed to” generally falls into the “obligation” category, similar to “have to”. Here’s how you can use it correctly.
1) To Be Expected to Do Something
Use “be supposed to” when something is expected to happen, but there is still a possibility it might not.
- They are supposed to arrive tomorrow.
- She was supposed to be here an hour ago.
- The movie was supposed to earn a lot of money at the box office, but it didn’t.
2) To Be Intended or Expected to Be Something
This usage refers to what something is meant to be.
- The party was supposed to be a surprise.
3) Used to Show Anger or Offense
This use of “supposed to” often appears when someone is angry or confused by something.
- Was that supposed to be funny? I thought it was quite rude.
- “Well, you’ve done it again.”
- “What’s that supposed to mean?”
4) To Say What Someone Should Do
Use “supposed to” when telling someone what they should do.
- You are supposed to listen to your parents.
- I’m supposed to clean my room before I go outside.
- What are we supposed to do in a situation like this?
- Do what you’re supposed to.
5) Used to Refer to What Someone Is Allowed to Do
In this case, “supposed to” can indicate permission or restriction.
- We were not supposed to leave the room.
- Are you supposed to be here after the building has closed?
6) Used to Indicate What People Say About Someone or Something
This usage indicates general expectations or rumors.
- “I heard that she’s good.”
- “She is supposed to be the best doctor in town.”
- “That breed of dog is supposed to be good with kids.”
- “The word is supposed to be derived from Latin.”
The Verb “To Suppose”
Unlike “supposed to”, the verb “to suppose” means to assume something to be true without certain evidence. It’s more about presumption than expectation.
- Prakash isn’t here yet, so I suppose his train was delayed.
- The committee supposes that the decline in profits is due to a faulty product design.
- Suppose my coach really does turn into a pumpkin. What will I do then?
Comparing “Supposed to”, “Have to”, and “Ought to”
Many English learners confuse “be supposed to”, “have to”, and “ought to” because they all indicate some form of obligation or expectation. However, there are subtle differences in their meanings:
- Be Supposed to implies an expectation, but there is a possibility it might not happen. Example: The magician is supposed to pull a rabbit out of his hat.
- Has to means there is no choice; it’s mandatory. Example: The magician has to produce the rabbit to earn applause.
- Ought to is a suggestion, not a strict obligation. Example: The magician ought to slip his rabbit a carrot before the show.
