supposed to be protected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposed to be protected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is expected or intended to be safeguarded or kept safe from harm. Example: "The wildlife in the national park is supposed to be protected by law to ensure its survival."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Aren't they supposed to be protected?

The New Yorker

"And we thought that got into an area that was supposed to be protected".

The New York Times - Sports

Patients' rights, meanwhile, are supposed to be protected by local psychiatric review boards.

The Economist

Taxpayers are supposed to be protected in another 2008-style crisis.

The Guardian - Business

Under the law, such complaints are confidential, and employees who file them are supposed to be protected from retaliation.

The New Yorker

Members of the group are essentially stateless but are supposed to be protected by the Geneva Conventions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

They are supposed to be protecting me.

The Guardian

We are supposed to be protecting our citizens".

The New York Times

"The commissioners were supposed to be protecting the community," she said.

The New York Times

But this could hurt the very interests that prosecutors are supposed to be protecting.

The Economist

In the Parks Department we're supposed to be protecting nature and wildlife".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supposed to be protected", ensure the context clearly indicates what entity or principle is providing the protection and from what harm or threat.

Common error

Avoid using "supposed to be protected" to suggest that something is completely safe. The phrase indicates an expectation or intention, but not necessarily a guarantee of safety.

Linguistic Context

"Supposed to be protected" functions as a modal phrase expressing an expectation, obligation, or intended state of being safeguarded. Ludwig AI shows it's used to describe things that should be kept safe by a specific authority or system. The phrase utilizes a passive construction, indicating that something receives protection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supposed to be protected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys an expectation or obligation for something to be kept safe. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread application, particularly in news and media contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's crucial to use it with awareness of the implied expectation versus reality, as simply saying something is "supposed to be protected" doesn't guarantee its safety. Alternatives like "intended to be safeguarded" and "meant to be defended" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to be safeguarded

Emphasizes the planned measures for ensuring safety.

expected to be secured

Highlights the anticipation of a state of safety.

meant to be defended

Focuses on the intent behind the act of protection.

under legal protection

Specifies that the protection is provided by law.

entitled to protection

Focuses on the right to be protected.

should be immune

Emphasizes the state of being exempt from harm.

designated as a sanctuary

Indicates a formal designation for protection.

warranted to be kept safe

Highlights a guaranteed level of safety.

required to be shielded

Implies a mandatory protective measure.

assumed to be safe

Suggests a presumption of safety that may not be accurate.

FAQs

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

You can use "supposed to be protected" to describe something that is intended to be kept safe from harm or damage. For example: "The documents are "supposed to be protected" from unauthorized access."

What is a synonym for "supposed to be protected"?

Synonyms for "supposed to be protected" include phrases like "meant to be defended", "intended to be safeguarded", or "expected to be secured", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "supposed to be protected" or "supposed to be protect"?

"Supposed to be protected" is the correct form. "Protect" is a verb, and in this context, it needs to be in the passive form (protected) with an auxiliary verb ('be').

What does "supposed to be protected" imply?

The phrase "supposed to be protected" implies that there is an expectation, agreement, or rule in place that something should be kept safe or unharmed. It doesn't guarantee protection, but rather indicates an intended state.