are supposed to support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are supposed to support" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating an expectation or obligation for someone or something to provide assistance or backing. Example: "The new policies are supposed to support the growth of small businesses in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The very people who are supposed to support and protect are those who wound and abuse.

University of California, Berkeley

What is the largest file size that we are supposed to support?

Stanford University

The jobs are supposed to support the Kazakh economy and induce Germans to stay.

The Economist

The police are supposed to support us and safeguard us, but this is not our experience.

The Guardian

In the EU, the majority is supposed to win, and they are supposed to support the European Union.

Independent

Politicians from the new parliaments will feel differently.In principle, Welsh and Scottish ministers are supposed to support the British government's line when negotiating in Brussels.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"Mr Cameron cries victory and on the basis of that we are suppose to support him in the referendum," he predicted.

BBC

The United States is supposed to support an environment of competition.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That offense was supposed to support a strong rotation and run away with a soft A.L. Central.

The New York Times - Sports

The platform is supposed to support 300 pounds per square foot.

The New York Times

Jobcentre Plus is supposed to support vulnerable people not try to trip them up on technicalities".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are supposed to support", ensure the context clearly defines who or what is expected to provide the support and what is being supported. This clarifies expectations and responsibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "are supposed to support" without specifying the subject that is expected to provide the support. A vague subject can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of responsibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are supposed to support" primarily functions as a modal expression indicating an expectation or obligation. It denotes that someone or something is expected to provide assistance or backing, aligning with the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

23%

Science

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are supposed to support" is a commonly used expression indicating an expectation or obligation for providing assistance or backing. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it is crucial to ensure clarity by specifying who or what is expected to provide the support to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "are required to back" or "are intended to assist" can be used to modulate the emphasis. Ensuring a clear subject helps avoid potential misinterpretations of the phrase's intended purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are required to back

Highlights the mandatory nature of the support.

are obligated to aid

Emphasizes a formal duty or commitment to provide assistance.

are intended to uphold

Focuses on maintaining or defending something, adding a protective aspect.

are slated to reinforce

Highlights planned action to strengthen or secure something.

are meant to bolster

Highlights strengthening or reinforcing something, differing in intensity.

are anticipated to assist

Focuses on foreseeing help or assistance, softening the obligation.

are expected to champion

Emphasizes advocacy and active promotion, changing the nature of support.

are projected to sustain

Indicates a forecast or prediction of ongoing support.

are designed to foster

Shifts the focus to nurturing and encouraging growth or development.

are deemed to encourage

Emphasizes that the support is officially considered beneficial.

FAQs

How can I use "are supposed to support" in a sentence?

Use "are supposed to support" to indicate an expectation or obligation. For example, "These policies "are supposed to support" local businesses."

What's a formal alternative to "are supposed to support"?

A more formal alternative is "are required to support", which conveys a stronger sense of obligation. For instance, "Employees "are required to support" the company's mission."

Is there a subtle way to say "are supposed to support"?

Yes, you can use "are intended to support", which implies a planned or designed purpose. For example, "These measures "are intended to support" economic growth."

What's the difference between "are supposed to support" and "are designed to foster"?

"Are supposed to support" implies an expectation of providing assistance, while "are designed to foster" focuses on nurturing or encouraging growth. The first is about providing aid; the second, about enabling development.