be supposed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be supposed to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to denote an external expectation or obligation. For example, "You are supposed to arrive at work by 9 A.M."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then he must be supposed to have some art.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If so, the gods, at any rate, cannot be supposed to have either joy or sorrow.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And may there not be supposed to be an imitative art of reasoning?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This line seems to be supposed to bring the house down.

The Guardian - Film

Whomever it might be supposed to fool, it is hard to believe he can make it with a straight face.

The Economist

His professional life might be supposed to have been a glide from Cambridge to Stratford, Covent Garden and Glyndebourne.

The Guardian - Books

However, great numbers of Ulva propagules would be supposed to exist in the microscopic, overwintering stage for the next spring's bloom in coastal environments.

Marine Environmental Research

To embody the electrocatalysts with outstanding catalytic activity, it should be supposed to combine both the morphology advantages and the bifunctional effects.

Electrochimica Acta

It is true, also, as is asserted, that the process of a State cannot be supposed to run beyond its own territory.

Harvard University

It is fundamental, and we are of opinion that the private property of riparian proprietors cannot be supposed to have deeper roots.

Cornell University

The revisers explained that a literal interpretation of such language 'would involve consequences which Congress cannot be supposed to have intended.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be supposed to" when describing an obligation that may or may not be fulfilled in reality. It is an excellent way to contrast what 'should' happen with what is 'actually' happening.

Common error

Avoid writing "be suppose to" without the 'd'. Because the phrase is in a passive construction, the past participle form "supposed" is grammatically required even when the surrounding sentence is in the present tense.

How to use

Learn how to use "be supposed to" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be supposed to" functions as a semi-modal expression used to convey obligation, expectation or conventional wisdom. It is constructed using the auxiliary verb "to be", the past participle "supposed", and the infinitive marker "to". In the Ludwig AI database, it frequently serves to introduce a standard or hypothesis that the author then explores or challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

Academia

22%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be supposed to" is a cornerstone of English modality, effectively bridging the gap between theory and reality. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is very common in high-level academic and scientific discourse, where it often introduces a premise before further analysis. Whether you are outlining a research hypothesis or discussing a social rule, ensuring the use of the past participle "supposed" is critical for grammatical accuracy. Its versatility allows it to shift from the strict obligations found in legal texts from Cornell to the more nuanced descriptions of artistic intent seen in The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be expected to

Focuses on a specific prediction or anticipated behavior

be meant to

Emphasizes the underlying intent or design

be intended to

Highlights the original purpose behind an action

be required to

Conveys a stronger sense of formal obligation or necessity

be assumed to

Suggests a premise or theory accepted without definitive proof

be presumed to

Implies a logical inference based on probability or evidence

ought to

Adds a moral or advisory tone to the expectation

be postulated to

Used primarily for scientific hypotheses or theoretical frameworks

be planned to

Focuses on scheduled events or future arrangements

be duty-bound to

Significantly increases the weight of moral or legal obligation

FAQs

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

You use it to indicate that someone or something has a duty or is expected to do something. For example, "The report "be supposed to" be finished by noon" implies a deadline or expectation.

What is the difference between "be supposed to" and "be meant to"?

While often interchangeable, "be meant to" usually focuses on the purpose or design of an object, whereas "be supposed to" often refers to social expectations or rules.

Is "be supposed to" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, as shown in Ludwig examples from MIT and Harvard, it is perfectly acceptable. However, in very formal contexts, you might prefer "be presumed to" or "be postulated to" for scientific hypotheses.

Is it "suppose to" or "supposed to"?

The correct form is always "be supposed to". Writing "suppose to" is a common error based on how the phrase sounds when spoken quickly.