is supposed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"is supposed to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is expected or required to happen. For example: "This project is supposed to be completed by Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is supposed to.

The Guardian

"It is supposed to be in Tripoli.

The New York Times

Parliament is supposed to be serious.

Independent

Customer money is supposed to be sacrosanct.

The New York Times

"This is supposed to be our network".

The New York Times

Johnny Storm is supposed to be white.

Independent

The community is supposed to celebrate together.

The New York Times

"My state is supposed to protect me.

The New York Times

The mother is supposed to rest.

The New York Times

This is supposed to be very modern.

The New Yorker

Disclosure is supposed to be the remedy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is supposed to" to express expectations, obligations, or common beliefs. Ensure the context clearly indicates whether it's a requirement, assumption, or intended purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "is supposed to" when you need to express a definitive command or regulation. Use stronger verbs like "must" or "shall" in such scenarios to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is supposed to" primarily functions as a modal construction to express expectations, obligations, or intended actions. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates what is generally anticipated or required.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is supposed to" is a versatile modal construction widely used to express expectations, obligations, or common beliefs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to distinguish its nuanced differences from similar phrases like "is expected to" or "is required to". When writing, ensure the context clarifies the intended meaning, and avoid its use when a more definitive command is needed. By considering these guidelines, writers can effectively use "is supposed to" to convey expectations accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is expected to

Expresses a high degree of probability or anticipation, similar to an expectation.

is required to

Indicates a mandatory action or condition; emphasizes the necessity of something.

is meant to

Suggests the intended purpose or design of something.

is intended to

Highlights the planned or purposed outcome of an action or object.

is obliged to

Implies a moral or legal duty, making the action binding.

is bound to

Suggests a strong likelihood or certainty based on existing conditions.

is slated to

Indicates something is scheduled or planned to occur at a specific time.

is designed to

Focuses on the inherent design and purpose of an object or system.

is understood to

Conveys a common understanding or accepted knowledge about something.

is anticipated to

Emphasizes expectation based on prior knowledge or trends.

FAQs

How can I use "is supposed to" in a sentence?

The phrase "is supposed to" indicates an expectation, obligation, or commonly held belief. For example, "The meeting "is supposed to" start at 10 AM" suggests the meeting is expected to begin at that time.

What's the difference between "is supposed to" and "is expected to"?

"Is supposed to" often implies a sense of obligation or prior arrangement, while "is expected to" emphasizes anticipation based on current conditions or trends. They are often interchangeable, but subtle nuances can differentiate their usage.

Are there formal alternatives to "is supposed to"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "is required to" or "is obliged to" to convey a stronger sense of duty or necessity compared to "is supposed to".

Can "is supposed to" indicate something didn't happen as planned?

Yes, "is supposed to" can imply that an expectation was not met. For example, "The package "is supposed to" arrive today" can suggest that the package has not yet arrived.