is supposed to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is supposed to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something should happen or be a certain way according to an established rule or standard. For example: "The temperature in the office is supposed to be set at 68 degrees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

This is supposed to be very modern.

The New Yorker

Disclosure is supposed to be the remedy.

The New York Times

That is supposed to be changing.

The New York Times

"The government is supposed to be responsible.

The New York Times

But investing is supposed to be different.

The New York Times

This is supposed to be the….

The New Yorker

Or, rather, it is supposed to be.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is supposed to be" to convey expectations, agreed plans, or common knowledge. This signals that something aligns with an established norm or arrangement.

Common error

Avoid using "is supposed to be" when you need to convey a firm requirement or guarantee. The phrase implies expectation, not a binding commitment. For stronger assertions, consider using "must be" or "is required to be."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is supposed to be" functions as a modal phrase expressing expectation, obligation, or a conventional arrangement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is supposed to be" is a versatile and commonly used modal phrase that indicates expectation, obligation, or a pre-arranged plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for a wide array of contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. While incredibly useful for showing what is generally expected, it's important to ensure that the strength of your words matches your intentions, so consider alternatives like "is expected to be" or "should be" when greater nuance is required. Avoid using it if you want to convey a firm requirement or guarantee. With its widespread use and clear meaning, mastering "is supposed to be" will enhance your communication across different registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is expected to be

Focuses on anticipation or prediction rather than a requirement.

is intended to be

Highlights the purpose or design behind something, suggesting a deliberate plan.

is meant to be

Emphasizes a preordained or destined quality.

should be

Expresses a recommendation or what is advisable.

ought to be

Implies a moral obligation or duty.

is required to be

Indicates a formal requirement or necessity.

is obliged to be

Highlights a legal or contractual obligation.

is slated to be

Emphasizes a scheduled or planned event.

is programmed to be

Highlights a predetermined behavior or function.

is deemed to be

Indicates a formal judgment or assessment.

FAQs

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

The phrase "is supposed to be" is used to indicate an expectation, obligation, or plan. For example, "The meeting "is supposed to be" at 2 PM" suggests a planned time.

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

"Is supposed to be" often implies an arrangement or plan, whereas "should be" indicates a recommendation or expectation based on logic or reason. For example, "The package "is supposed to be" delivered today" suggests a scheduled delivery, while "The package "should be" delivered today" implies it's reasonably expected but not guaranteed.

Which is correct, "is suppose to be" or "is supposed to be"?

"Is supposed to be" is the correct form. "Suppose" is the base verb, and the phrase includes the past participle "supposed". "Is suppose to be" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "is supposed to be"?

Alternatives include "is expected to be", "is intended to be", or "is meant to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.