supposed to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"supposed to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that you believe should or should not happen, or to something that is expected to exist or occur. For example, "The document was supposed to be delivered by 3pm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's supposed to be.

The New Yorker

They're supposed to be fun.

The New York Times

I'm supposed to be working".

The New Yorker

"It's supposed to be rare.

The New York Times

It's supposed to be literature.

The New York Times

You're supposed to be normal.

The New York Times - Sports

It's supposed to be automatic".

The New Yorker

I'm supposed to be famous".

The New Yorker

It's supposed to be overwhelming.

The New Yorker

He's supposed to be Italian.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's supposed to be shading.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "supposed to be" to express expectations, obligations, or widely held beliefs. For example, "The meeting is supposed to be at 10am."

Common error

Avoid confusing "supposed to be" with "used to be". "Used to be" refers to a past habit or state, while "supposed to be" indicates a present expectation or obligation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to be" functions primarily as a modal construction, expressing obligation, expectation, or common belief. Ludwig shows examples where it indicates an anticipated state or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supposed to be" is a versatile modal construction used to express expectations, obligations, or common beliefs. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and highly frequent in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it's important to avoid confusing it with similar phrases like "used to be". Consider alternatives such as "meant to be" or "expected to be" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meant to be

Emphasizes intention or destiny rather than obligation.

intended to be

Focuses on the original plan or purpose.

expected to be

Highlights anticipation or prediction.

ought to be

Implies a moral or logical obligation.

should be

Suggests a recommendation or expectation.

required to be

Highlights a formal or legal requirement.

destined to be

Suggests a predetermined future.

bound to be

Implies a high probability based on current conditions.

predicted to be

Focuses on a forecast or projection.

presumed to be

Based on inference or assumption.

FAQs

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

Use "supposed to be" to indicate expectations, obligations, or commonly held beliefs. For example, "The movie is "supposed to be" good" or "We are "supposed to be" there by 9am".

What's a synonym for "supposed to be"?

Alternatives include "meant to be", "intended to be", or "expected to be", depending on the specific context.

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

"Supposed to be" is correct. The "d" is essential. "Suppose to be" is grammatically incorrect.

Is "supposed to be" formal or informal?

"Supposed to be" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "it is expected that" may be preferred in some situations.