are not supposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not supposed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is not allowed or expected to happen. Example: "You are not supposed to use your phone during the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jurors are not supposed to want anything.

The New Yorker

"We are not supposed to kill.

The New York Times

We are not supposed to study.

The New York Times

They are not supposed to evaporate.

The New Yorker

Students are not supposed to use cellphones.

The Washington Post

City are not supposed to resemble Millwall.

The Guardian - Sport

They are not supposed to float.

The Washington Post

They are not supposed to be sold.

The New York Times

Mormons are not supposed to drink alcohol.

The Guardian - Music

Facials are not supposed to be fun.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We are not supposed to be here".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not supposed to", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a rule, expectation, or general guideline.

Common error

Avoid using "are not supposed to" when expressing a strict legal or moral obligation. Phrases like "must not" or "are prohibited from" are stronger and more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not supposed" functions as a modal construction expressing prohibition, lack of permission, or deviation from expected behavior. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates that something is not allowed or anticipated. The examples provided showcase its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are not supposed" is a versatile modal construction used to express prohibition, lack of expectation, or deviation from a norm. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. It is frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various situations. Alternative phrases include "should not" and "must not", offering nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. Remember to use "are not supposed" appropriately, especially when indicating rules or expectations, and avoid using it for strong legal or moral obligations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should not

Expresses advisability or expectation that something will not happen.

must not

Indicates a strong prohibition or lack of permission.

are prohibited from

Formally states that something is not allowed.

are not allowed to

Indicates a lack of permission to do something.

are forbidden to

Similar to "are not allowed to", but with a stronger emphasis on prohibition.

are not permitted to

Another way to express a lack of permission, often used in formal contexts.

ought not to

Expresses that something is not advisable or appropriate.

are not expected to

Indicates that something is not anticipated or required.

are not meant to

Suggests that something is not intended or designed for a particular purpose.

are not entitled to

Indicates that someone does not have a right or claim to something.

FAQs

How can I use "are not supposed" in a sentence?

The phrase "are not supposed" is used to express that something is not allowed, expected, or advisable. For instance, "You "are not supposed" to talk during the exam" or "Students "are not supposed" to use cellphones in class".

What are some alternatives to "are not supposed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "should not", "must not", "are not allowed to", or "are not expected to".

Is "are not suppose to" grammatically correct?

No, the correct form is "are not supposed to". The word "supposed" requires the '-d' ending when used in this context. "Suppose to" is a common misspelling.

What's the difference between "are not supposed to" and "should not"?

"Are not supposed to" often implies a rule or expectation, while "should not" suggests advice or a weaker recommendation. For example, "You "are not supposed" to park here" indicates a parking rule, while "You "should not" eat too much sugar" is a health recommendation.