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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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supposed something else

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposed something else" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "supposed to be something else"? You can use the corrected phrase when indicating that something was expected or intended to be different from what it is. Example: "I thought the meeting was scheduled for today, but it was supposed to be something else entirely."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Suppose something else had happened.

News & Media

The New Yorker

John Demsey, group president, Estée Lauder Companies "Oh wow — 'Meet the Fockers.' I'm supposed to say something else".

News & Media

The New York Times

The relationship as it was supposed to be is changed, and is now supposed to be something else.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Suppose something happens to you?

News & Media

The New Yorker

But what is really funny is the fact that the guy who fired the missile went to the hospital the next morning and apologised, saying it landed there by mistake: "Nothing against you guys - it was supposed to hit something else".

News & Media

The Guardian

I was supposed to see something else.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Suu Kyi was supposed to be something else, something more; a moral icon, a human rights champion, a latter-day Gandhi.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Glenn, aka actor Steven Yeun, is back on "Walking Dead" after his supposed "death," but something else might've just been resurrected as well. .

News & Media

Huffington Post

My dream has always been to work for Oprah, but I've hesitated to send it because I strongly feel I am supposed to do something else at this point in my life.

News & Media

Huffington Post

It would be like solitary confinement all the time if it weren't cushioned by Gchat and pals and every single book and eventually just forgetting that I was ever supposed to be something else.

News & Media

Vice

Few things in life are more embarrassing than telling your child how to do something, only to find out that he was supposed to do something else entirely!

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to express that something was intended or expected to be different, use the phrase "supposed to be something else" or alternatives like "meant to be something else" or "intended to be something else".

Common error

Avoid omitting the "to be" when using "supposed" to indicate an expectation or intention. Saying "supposed something else" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "supposed to be something else".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

78%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed something else" is grammatically incorrect and functions as an incomplete expression. As Ludwig AI explains, it lacks the necessary "to be" to properly convey the intended meaning of an expectation or arrangement that differs from the current state.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supposed something else" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI suggests that the correct form is "supposed to be something else" or alternatives such as "meant to be something else" or "intended to be something else", to properly express the idea of an expectation or plan that differs from the current situation. Due to its grammatical issues, it's best to avoid "supposed something else" in formal writing and speech.

FAQs

How should I correctly use "supposed" to indicate an expectation that something would be different?

To properly convey that something was intended or expected to be different, use the phrase "supposed to be something else". For example, "I thought the party was tonight, but it was "supposed to be something else" entirely."

What are some alternatives to "supposed to be something else"?

Alternatives include "meant to be something else", "intended to be something else", or "expected to be something else". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "supposed something else" grammatically correct?

No, "supposed something else" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form requires the inclusion of "to be", as in "supposed to be something else".

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

"Supposed to be something else" generally implies an expectation or arrangement, while "meant to be something else" suggests a prior intention or design. Both indicate a deviation from what currently exists, but their emphasis differs slightly.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: