is supposed to exist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is supposed to exist" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is expected or believed to be present or true based on certain assumptions or beliefs. Example: "The theory suggests that a parallel universe is supposed to exist alongside our own."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

News is supposed to exist outside those desires; it's supposed to be an objective good.

The New York Times - Tech

The NHS is supposed to exist for the treatment people need, not what some moralising minority loftily deem they deserve.

The Guardian - Opinion

Officially, the smallpox virus is supposed to exist in only two laboratories, the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, and a Russian government repository in Moscow.

The New York Times

Ernie Smith, an investigative accountant and certified fraud examiner for the Melville accounting firm of Callaghan Nawrocki, said that abuses most often occur when the segregation of duties that is supposed to exist does not.

The New York Times

Officially, the virus is supposed to exist only in repositories in Moscow and the disease control center's headquarters in Atlanta, but experts have long suspected that some nations harbor secret stocks of smallpox to use as a biological weapon.

The New York Times

This exchange crystallises the dichotomy that is supposed to exist between the attitudes of anglophones and francophones towards Jerry Lewis: American no-bullshit pragmatism v pretentious French theorising, or American philistinism v French enlightenment.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

That's an appropriate attribute for a year that never was supposed to exist.

The New York Times

Mesons also were supposed to exist for an infinitesimally short blip before disintegrating.

The New York Times

Vitamins and cocktails are supposed to exist in different time zones -- one for daylight, the other for darkness.

The New York Times - Style

"So we are very concerned about setting up a parallel system in which even the protections which are supposed to exist, but are rarely followed, are completely absent".

The New York Times

"If so many lost species have been restored in so little time, how many must be supposed to exist still in the depths of the earth?" Cuvier asked.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is supposed to exist" to convey an expectation, assumption, or intended state, particularly when plans or theories suggest its presence or operation. For example, "A functional regulatory body is supposed to exist to oversee financial transactions."

Common error

Avoid using "is supposed to exist" when you mean "is able to exist" or "has the capacity to exist". The phrase indicates expectation, not inherent capability. For instance, don't say, "This technology is supposed to exist" if you mean "This technology can exist" or "This technology is capable of existing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is supposed to exist" functions as a modal expression, indicating an expectation, plan, or theoretical basis for something's existence. As evidenced by Ludwig, it suggests that something's presence is anticipated or required according to a particular framework.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is supposed to exist" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something is expected, intended, or theoretically based on a plan or common belief. As Ludwig AI shows, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears commonly across various contexts, particularly in news, media and scientific writing. When using the phrase, ensure that you are conveying an expectation rather than an inherent ability. Alternatives include "is expected to exist" and "is believed to exist". By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "is supposed to exist" to communicate nuanced expectations and theoretical underpinnings in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is expected to exist

Replaces "supposed to" with "expected to", emphasizing anticipation rather than obligation.

is believed to exist

Focuses on the belief or assumption that something exists.

is thought to exist

Similar to "is believed to exist", but with a slightly less formal tone.

is understood to exist

Implies a general consensus or understanding about its existence.

is presumed to exist

Indicates that something is assumed to exist until proven otherwise.

is anticipated to exist

Highlights the expectation that something will exist in the future.

is theorized to exist

Emphasizes that the existence is based on a theory.

is posited to exist

Indicates a formal or scientific proposal of existence.

is considered to exist

Indicates that something is regarded as existing by a certain group or perspective.

is rumored to exist

Suggests the existence is based on unconfirmed reports.

FAQs

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

Use "is supposed to exist" to express that something is expected, intended, or theoretically present based on a plan, rule, or common belief. For example, "The safety net /s/is+supposed+to protect the vulnerable during economic downturns."

What are some alternatives to "is supposed to exist"?

You can use phrases like "is expected to exist", "is believed to exist", or "is presumed to exist" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "is supposed to exist" instead of "exists"?

"Is supposed to exist" is used when there is an expectation or requirement for something to be present, while "exists" simply states its presence. For instance, "A well-maintained database /s/is+supposed+to contain accurate records," implies a requirement that isn't inherent in "a well-maintained database contains accurate records."

Is "was supposed to exist" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was supposed to exist" is grammatically correct. It indicates that something was expected or intended to exist in the past, but it may or may not have actually existed. An example would be, "The original blueprints indicated a hidden chamber /s/was+supposed+to exist beneath the main hall."