are supposed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"are supposed to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is expected or considered appropriate. For example: Students are supposed to turn off their cellphones during class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are supposed to.

The Economist

Stilettos are supposed to hurt.

The New York Times

Or they are supposed to.

The Economist

You are supposed to clap.

Independent

Negotiations are supposed to end on Friday.

The New York Times

Exchanges are supposed to fix that.

The New York Times

Registrants are supposed to show professional credentials.

The Economist

These departments are supposed to be separated.

The New York Times

"Universities are supposed to be academic communities.

Independent

Its hits are supposed to be hard.

The New Yorker

Such "recruits" are supposed to be vetted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are supposed to" to clearly indicate expectations, duties, or intended functions. For example: "Students are supposed to submit their assignments on time."

Common error

Avoid using "are supposed to" interchangeably with phrases that imply stronger obligation or certainty. "Are required to" indicates a formal rule, whereas "are supposed to" suggests a more general expectation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are supposed to" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase, indicating expectation, obligation, or a generally accepted practice. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

19%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are supposed to" is a versatile phrase used to express expectations, obligations, or intended functions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. It's suitable for various contexts, from news reports to everyday conversations. When you want to convey a similar meaning, consider using alternatives like "are meant to" or "are expected to". Remember to use "is" or "are" based on your subject, and be mindful of the strength of obligation you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are meant to

Implies a purpose or intended function.

are intended to

Focuses on the intention or design behind something.

are expected to

Highlights anticipation or likelihood.

are required to

Indicates a formal obligation or necessity.

are obliged to

Emphasizes a moral or legal duty.

are designed to

Focuses on the specific design or engineering.

are scheduled to

Highlights a planned event or action.

are predicted to

Indicates a forecast or expectation based on evidence.

are presumed to

Suggests an assumption or belief based on incomplete information.

are understood to

Highlights a generally accepted fact or belief.

FAQs

How do I use "are supposed to" in a sentence?

Use "are supposed to" to express expectations, obligations, or common practices. For instance, "Employees "are supposed to" arrive on time", indicating a workplace norm.

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

You can use alternatives like "are meant to", "are intended to", or "are expected to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is supposed to" or "are supposed to"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "is supposed to" with singular subjects (e.g., "He is supposed to call") and "are supposed to" with plural subjects (e.g., "They are supposed to arrive").

What's the difference between "are supposed to" and "are required to"?

"Are supposed to" often implies an expectation or generally accepted practice, while "are required to" indicates a formal rule or legal obligation.