supposed to be doing

USAGE SUMMARY

'supposed to be doing' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever you need to express an expectation about something that someone or something is meant to do. For example: "I was supposed to be doing my math assignment, but I got distracted and started reading a book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You're not supposed to be doing that.

The New York Times

What are we supposed to be doing?

The Guardian - Opinion

They're not supposed to be doing it.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's what I'm supposed to be doing".

The Guardian - Arts

What's it supposed to be doing?

The New York Times

That's what they're supposed to be doing".

The New York Times

What exactly are directors supposed to be doing?

The Economist

"I feel what it's supposed to be doing".

The New York Times - Sports

This is what he's supposed to be doing".

The New York Times - Sports

Find out what you're supposed to be doing.

The New York Times

What were you supposed to be doing for the company?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "supposed to be doing" to clearly communicate expectations or obligations. Ensure the context provides clarity on who set the expectation or why it exists.

Common error

Avoid confusing "supposed to be doing" with "used to be doing". "Supposed to" refers to a current expectation or obligation, while "used to" describes a past habit or state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to be doing" functions as a modal phrase expressing expectation, obligation, or intention. It combines the modal verb "supposed to" with the continuous form of a verb, indicating an ongoing or future action that is expected. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "supposed to be doing" is a versatile and frequently used phrase to express expectations, obligations, or intended actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When writing, remember to use the phrase to convey an expectation and don't confuse it with "used to". By understanding its nuances and common errors, you can effectively use "supposed to be doing" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meant to be doing

This alternative is very similar, also implying an expectation or plan, with a slightly less formal tone.

ought to be doing

This alternative is a more formal synonym, suggesting a moral obligation or duty.

should be doing

This alternative implies a recommendation or advice, rather than a strict obligation.

expected to be doing

This alternative directly states the expectation from an external party.

required to be doing

This alternative suggests a rule or requirement that must be followed.

tasked with doing

This alternative is more specific, indicating a formal assignment of a task.

assigned to do

Focuses on the act of giving a task, rather than the expectation of performing it.

scheduled to be doing

Implies that there is a scheduled event or task, which adds a time dimension to the expression.

intended to do

Emphasizes the intention or plan to carry out the action.

planning to do

Focuses on the planning stage of an activity, rather than the expectation.

FAQs

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

You can use "supposed to be doing" to indicate an expectation or obligation. For example, "I was "supposed to be doing" my homework, but I watched TV instead."

What's the difference between "supposed to be doing" and "should be doing"?

"Supposed to be doing" implies a predefined expectation or obligation, whereas "should be doing" suggests a recommendation or advice. "You are "supposed to be doing" your chores" indicates an obligation. "You should be doing your chores" is a suggestion.

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

Alternatives include "meant to be doing", "ought to be doing", or "expected to be doing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "supposed to be do" grammatically correct?

No, "supposed to be do" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""supposed to be doing"", where "doing" is the present participle of the verb.