supposed to be distributed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'supposed to be distributed' can be used in written English.
It is typically used in the context of an expected or suggested action that isn't necessarily being carried out. For example: "The toys for the children in the poor village were supposed to be distributed by volunteers, but no one showed up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Are new release promotions still supposed to be distributed through the VideoNews list?

University of California, Berkeley

Even though the surplus is supposed to be distributed to the poor, politics and corruption often limit their access.

The New York Times

The condoms that were supposed to be distributed failed to arrive — but the people wouldn't have used them anyway.

The New Yorker

That letter was supposed to be distributed publicly, but Governor Pataki asked the group to hold off, and it obliged.

The New York Times

Auditors found drugs had been stolen, health workers were using expired kits to test for HIV, condoms supposed to be distributed free of charge were being sold.

The Guardian

He persuaded the Convention to pass the radical Ventôse Decrees, under which confiscated lands were supposed to be distributed to needy patriots.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The Southeastern Conference was supposed to be distributing tickets to members of the official party and players' families, but 40 minutes before the game, Sandy Riley of New Hope, Ky., said a woman was outside the gates with a fistful of tickets handing them out to fans in Kentucky blue.

The New York Times

The batch size is supposed to be Pareto distributed.

The Journal of China Universities of Posts and Telecommunications

These were supposed to be carefully distributed throughout an opera, although such composers as George Frideric Handel and Alessandro Scarlatti did not observe this convention rigidly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The SCs are supposed to be randomly distributed around the PU in the CRN.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The maximum number of customers or queue length is observed in the case 1(c) when the service time is supposed to be gamma distributed.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supposed to be distributed", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is responsible for the distribution and the intended recipients.

Common error

Avoid using "supposed to be distributed" without clarifying what happened when the distribution didn't occur. Instead of just stating the expectation, explain why the distribution failed or was delayed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to be distributed" functions as a verb phrase indicating an expectation or planned action concerning the dissemination of something. As Ludwig AI states, it implies an intended action that might not necessarily be carried out.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supposed to be distributed" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an expectation, plan, or requirement for something to be disseminated. Ludwig AI confirms its typical use in contexts where an action is expected but not guaranteed. It's versatile enough for neutral and professional registers, appearing frequently in news, scientific, and academic sources. To use it effectively, ensure that the context clarifies who or what is responsible for the distribution, and consider explaining any deviations from the expected outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meant to be disseminated

Replaces "supposed" with "meant", emphasizing intention or design.

intended for distribution

Focuses on the purpose or aim of distributing something.

expected to be allocated

Replaces "distributed" with "allocated", implying a specific assignment.

scheduled for release

Emphasizes the timing and planned unveiling of something.

designated for circulation

Highlights the formal designation of something for spreading around.

slated for delivery

Suggests a scheduled or anticipated arrival.

planned for dissemination

Focuses on the planned aspect of spreading information or items.

purported to be circulated

Indicates that something is claimed or alleged to be spread.

ought to be apportioned

Replaces "supposed" with "ought", indicating a moral obligation.

due to be propagated

Emphasizes the process of spreading or reproducing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "supposed to be distributed" to describe items, information or resources that someone plans to share or give out but may or may not be doing so. For example: "The leaflets "meant to be distributed" were left at the office".

What are some alternatives to "supposed to be distributed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "intended for distribution", "scheduled for release", or "designated for circulation", each conveying a slightly different nuance of expectation or planning.

Is it correct to say "supposed to had been distributed"?

No, the correct form is "supposed to have been distributed". The auxiliary verb "have" is used with the past participle "been" to form the perfect infinitive.

What's the difference between "supposed to be distributed" and "was supposed to be distributed"?

"Supposed to be distributed" implies a current expectation or plan, while "was supposed to be distributed" refers to a past expectation or plan that may not have been fulfilled. For example, "The report is scheduled for release today" vs "The report "was intended for delivery" last week, but it was delayed".