You were supposed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "You were supposed to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to something that was expected to have been done. For example, "You were supposed to finish your assignment before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You were supposed to choose Abdul Wahab".

The New York Times

You were supposed to love God's world.

The New Yorker

"You were supposed to blow 'em out".

The New York Times

"You were supposed to just soldier on".

The New Yorker

"You were supposed to come for me!

The New Yorker

You were supposed to be quite good.

The Guardian - Opinion

You were supposed to slip naturally into the new shape; you were supposed to love it.

The New Yorker

You were supposed to argue – and I did, often.

The Guardian

You were supposed to express the spirit however it came.

The New Yorker

"You were supposed to be in Cincinnati!" "And you were supposed to be faithful!" my husband will shout.

The New Yorker

You were supposed to have more cloud cover".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "You were supposed to" when indicating a broken agreement or expectation, creating a tone of mild disappointment or reproach. Be sure to clarify the context of the expectation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "You were supposed to" when simply describing a past action without any implication of obligation or expectation. Use simple past tense instead. For example, instead of "You were supposed to went to the store", say "You went to the store."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "You were supposed to" functions as an expression of expectation or obligation. It indicates that someone failed to meet a prior agreement, instruction, or plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "You were supposed to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that an expectation or obligation was not met. According to Ludwig AI, it is perfectly acceptable for use in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, from news reporting to everyday conversation, though it appears most frequently in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "You were expected to". Be mindful not to confuse its usage with simple past tense descriptions. This ensures clarity and precision in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

You were expected to

Emphasizes a general expectation rather than a specific instruction or plan.

You were meant to

Highlights intention or destiny, suggesting a preordained or strongly intended outcome.

You should have

Expresses regret or mild reproach for not fulfilling an expectation.

It was your responsibility to

Stresses the duty or obligation associated with the action.

You had a duty to

Similar to 'responsibility' but with a stronger emphasis on moral or ethical obligation.

You were obliged to

Indicates a formal or legal compulsion to perform the action.

You were required to

Highlights the necessity or requirement dictated by rules or regulations.

It was agreed that you would

Emphasizes a prior agreement or understanding regarding the action.

The plan was for you to

Focuses on the planned or intended course of action.

Your task was to

Specifically defines the action as a designated task or assignment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "You were supposed to" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "You were expected to" or "It was your responsibility to". These alternatives emphasize the expectation or duty associated with the action.

What's the difference between "You were supposed to" and "You should have"?

"You were supposed to" implies an agreement, plan, or instruction that wasn't followed. "You should have", on the other hand, expresses a general recommendation or regret that something wasn't done, without necessarily implying a prior arrangement.

How to use "You were supposed to" in a sentence?

Use "You were supposed to" to indicate that someone failed to meet an expectation or obligation. For example, "You were supposed to finish the report by Friday, but it's still not done."

What are some less direct ways to express "You were supposed to"?

Instead of directly stating "You were supposed to", you could say "I thought you were going to" or "I understood that you would". These options are less confrontational and allow for a softer approach.