I supposed to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'I supposed to work' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express the idea that you ought to be working, or that you had planned to be working. For example, you could say: "I was supposed to work today, but my car wouldn't start."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

How am I supposed to work on that?" A scratchy broadcast from a dashboard television in his car keeps spitting out the latest dreadful news from Fukushima.

Independent

Cole said in the Newham Recorder: "I think I had just one cross, apart from that I had nothing and as a striker, that's starvation, that's famine – what am I supposed to work on?

Independent

But my perky polite dam is perilously close to bursting after a weekend of reporting T-shirts with slogans that say, amongst other things, 'Keep Calm and Rape A Lot'.  My sense of humour is liable, at any moment, to up it and say 'Luce, how am I supposed to work under these conditions?' It's been quite a week.

Independent

After all, wasn't I supposed to work long hours in order to be successful?

Huffington Post

"How am I supposed to work like this?" he asked me.

Vice

How am I supposed to work for my clients if I can't even pick up a spray can?

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

How is it supposed to work?

SEP

Because I am a community health nurse, I am supposed to work in the community, but in my job description I am supposed to work anywhere.

BMC Health Services Research

A nurse in a rural facility expressed frustration about her multiple responsibilities: Because I am a community health nurse, I am supposed to work in the community, but in my job description I am supposed to work anywhere.

BMC Health Services Research

"I have not missed a game I was supposed to work," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I was supposed to work with him that day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always include a form of the verb 'to be' (am, is, was, were) before 'supposed to' to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, use "I am supposed to work" instead of "I supposed to work".

Common error

A common mistake is to omit the verb 'to be' before "supposed to". Always remember to include 'am', 'is', 'was', or 'were' depending on the intended tense. For instance, avoid saying "He supposed to go" and instead say "He was supposed to go".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I supposed to work" is grammatically incorrect as it omits the necessary auxiliary verb ('am' or 'was') before 'supposed'. Correct usage would require a phrase like 'I am supposed to work', indicating a present obligation, or 'I was supposed to work', indicating a past obligation. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase requires correction for proper English usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I supposed to work" is grammatically incorrect and requires correction. As Ludwig AI points out, the omission of the verb 'to be' renders the phrase unusable in standard English. The correct forms are "I am supposed to work" (present obligation) or "I was supposed to work" (past obligation). Remember to include the necessary auxiliary verb to accurately convey your intended meaning. Using alternatives like "I should work" can also provide grammatically sound ways to express obligation or necessity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was supposed to work

Adding "was" corrects the grammatical structure to indicate a past obligation or expectation.

I am supposed to work

Adding "am" corrects the grammatical structure to indicate a present obligation or expectation.

I should work

Uses "should" to express obligation or advisability, making it grammatically correct.

I have to work

Uses "have to" to express necessity or obligation, making it grammatically correct.

I need to work

Uses "need to" to express necessity, making it grammatically correct.

I ought to work

Employs "ought to" to convey moral obligation or advisability, improving grammatical correctness.

I am expected to work

Expresses expectation or requirement, making it grammatically sound.

It is my duty to work

Highlights a sense of duty or responsibility, ensuring grammatical correctness.

I am required to work

Indicates a formal requirement or rule, making it grammatically accurate.

I plan to work

Expresses a plan or intention, making it grammatically correct.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "I supposed to" in a sentence?

The phrase "I supposed to" is grammatically incorrect. You need to include a form of the verb 'to be' before 'supposed'. Correct examples include "I am supposed to" or "I was supposed to".

What is the difference between "I am supposed to" and "I was supposed to"?

"I am supposed to" indicates a present obligation or expectation, while "I was supposed to" indicates a past obligation or expectation. For example, "I am supposed to work" means you have a current work obligation, and "I was supposed to work" means you had a work obligation in the past.

What can I say instead of "I supposed to work"?

You can use alternatives like "I am supposed to work", "I was supposed to work", or "I should work" depending on the context.

Is "I supposed to" grammatically correct?

No, "I supposed to" is not grammatically correct. The correct form requires the inclusion of a 'to be' verb, such as 'am' or 'was'. Therefore, the correct phrases would be "I am supposed to" or "I was supposed to".