supposed to be dead

USAGE SUMMARY

"supposed to be dead" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to something or someone that was initially expected to die, but did not. For example, "The doctor said she was supposed to be dead by now, but she's still fighting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Wasn't God supposed to be dead?

The New Yorker

INFLATION was supposed to be dead.

The Economist

I was supposed to be dead.

The Guardian - Music

He was supposed to be dead.

The New York Times

She was supposed to be dead by now.

The New York Times

Don't you know you're supposed to be dead?

Independent

PULLMAN: One question: weren't you supposed to be dead?

The Guardian - Film

Cursive writing was supposed to be dead by now.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

You have to wait until everyone who 'remembers how things are supposed to be done' is dead.

Huffington Post

Peek was originally supposed to be a dead simple email-only handheld device — a smartphone alternative, really.

TechCrunch

He's also supposed to be drop dead gorgeous.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "supposed to be dead" to create a sense of irony or surprise when describing a situation where someone or something has defied expectations of mortality. It adds a layer of intrigue and can be used to highlight resilience or unexpected outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "supposed to be dead" when the context requires a more direct or sensitive description of death or loss. The phrase carries a tone of disbelief or surprise and may not be appropriate in somber or respectful situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to be dead" functions as a descriptive expression, often used to convey surprise or irony about something or someone that has defied expectations of mortality. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supposed to be dead" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression to convey surprise or irony when something defies the expectation of death. As Ludwig AI explains, it is usable in written English when referring to something initially expected to die but did not. It appears frequently in news and media, highlighting unexpected survivals or resurgences. When writing, be mindful of the tone, and consider more direct language for sensitive contexts. Alternatives include "presumed to have perished" or "thought to be deceased" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expected to have died

Focuses on the expectation of death at a prior point in time.

was expected not to survive

Shifts focus to the expectation of non-survival, rather than death itself.

thought to be deceased

Replaces "supposed" with "thought", emphasizing belief rather than expectation.

presumed to have perished

Uses more formal language, indicating a strong assumption of death.

was given up for dead

Highlights the act of others ceasing to believe in survival.

believed to be no longer living

A more descriptive and formal way of saying someone is dead.

written off as dead

Implies a more official or decisive declaration of death.

pronounced dead

Focuses on the formal declaration of death by an authority.

miraculously survived

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the survival.

defied death

A more dramatic way of saying someone survived against the odds.

FAQs

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

You can use "supposed to be dead" to express surprise or irony when someone or something survives an event they were not expected to. For example, "That technology was "supposed to be dead" years ago, but it's making a comeback".

What's the difference between "presumed dead" and "supposed to be dead"?

"Presumed dead" indicates a formal declaration or strong assumption of death based on circumstances, while "supposed to be dead" implies a more general expectation or anticipation of death that was defied. The former is more definitive, the latter carries a tone of surprise.

Which is correct, "supposed to be dead" or "supposed to have died"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Supposed to be dead" implies a current state that contradicts the expectation, while "supposed to have died" focuses on a past event that did not occur.

What can I say instead of "supposed to be dead" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "presumed to have perished" or "believed to be no longer living". These options replace the more casual "supposed" with terms indicating a stronger assumption of death.