as it was supposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as it was supposed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was expected or intended to happen in a certain way. Example: "The project was completed as it was supposed to be, meeting all the deadlines and requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With those words, I was transported into a "through the looking glass" world where life as it was supposed to be was turned on its head.

Huffington Post

"That play went off exactly as it was supposed to.

The New York Times - Sports

The emergency plan worked as it was supposed to.

The New York Times

My decision paid off just as it was supposed to.

The New Yorker

Unexpectedly, it got tested and worked exactly as it was supposed to.

Columbia University

Monica Bell: The interaction kind of went as it was supposed to.

Harvard University

(Poetry finally attracted females, as it was supposed to do when I was fourteen).

The New Yorker

The wine was transparent, golden, light — exactly as it was supposed to be in such situations.

The New Yorker

"My money was misappropriated as it was supposed to go into Introcom," said Mr Smallbone.

Independent

Was the steel as strong as it was supposed to be?

The New York Times - Science

If the landing didn't work as it was supposed to, there would be no second chances, and no return.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To improve clarity, follow "as it was supposed" with a specific explanation of what was expected, particularly when the expectation isn't obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "as it was supposed" vaguely. Always provide enough context for the reader to understand the original expectation. Without it, the phrase loses its impact and can confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it was supposed" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the expected or intended manner of an action or event. Ludwig's examples show it's frequently used to highlight a discrepancy between expectation and reality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as it was supposed" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express an expected or intended outcome, frequently highlighting a contrast with what actually occurred. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. It is used to mark a divergence from plans or expectations. To ensure clarity, it's best to provide specific context about the initial expectation. Common errors include vague usage without sufficient context. Using this phrase correctly will enhance your writing by clearly indicating deviations from established plans or expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as it should have been

This alternative emphasizes the correctness or ideal state that was expected.

as it was designed to

Focuses on the original design or purpose behind something.

according to plan

Highlights that something occurred following a prearranged strategy.

as intended

Directly indicates the original intention behind an action or event.

as expected

Stresses that the outcome aligned with prior expectations.

as things should be

Emphasizes a general sense of order or correctness.

in the proper manner

This option focuses on the correct or appropriate way of doing something.

by the book

Implies adherence to established rules or procedures.

as matters ought to be

Expresses a moral or ethical expectation.

in its designated way

Emphasizes an action happened following a certain procedure.

FAQs

How can I use "as it was supposed" in a sentence?

Use "as it was supposed" to describe a situation that didn't unfold according to plan. For example, "The presentation was supposed to start at 9 a.m., but it didn't begin "until 9:30"".

What phrases are similar to "as it was supposed"?

Similar phrases include "as intended", "as expected", or "according to plan". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "as it was supposed to" or "like it was supposed to"?

"As it was supposed to" is grammatically correct. "Like it was supposed to" is less formal and more conversational, but "as" is generally preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "as it was supposed to" and "theoretically"?

"As it was supposed to" implies a plan or expectation that was not met. "Theoretically" refers to what should happen under ideal conditions, often without a specific plan. For example, "The device should have worked, "theoretically", but "as it was supposed" to, but it malfunctioned".