supposed to be working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposed to be working" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when discussing that something or someone is expected to be working or performing a task correctly. For example, "The new machine was supposed to be working by now, but we haven't been able to get it up and running yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm supposed to be working".

The New Yorker

That's not how it's supposed to be working out".

The New York Times

They were supposed to be working for us, weren't they?

The Guardian

I do that when I am supposed to be working.

The New York Times - Magazine

This isn't what we're supposed to be working on".

The Guardian - Tech

"He was not supposed to be working," Mr. Carlin said.

The New York Times

Then the vice president walked in and asked, essentially: Who's supposed to be working now?

The New York Times

Consider how things were supposed to be working at this point.

The New York Times

I rarely look at National Rail departures when I'm supposed to be working.

The Guardian

I was supposed to be working in London today, but I'm not now".

Independent

I was not supposed to be working at anything besides being a professional athlete.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "supposed to be working" to express an expectation or obligation that someone should currently be engaged in work. It's suitable when discussing deviations from planned activities or responsibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "supposed to be working" when simply stating what someone is doing. This phrase implies a deviation from what is expected or planned, not just a statement of current activity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to be working" functions as a modal construction expressing an expectation, obligation, or duty to be engaged in work. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "supposed to be working" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone is expected or obligated to be working. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is widely used and understood. It implies a sense of obligation or expectation, often highlighting a deviation from that expectation. While versatile enough for various contexts, it is most frequently found in news, media, and business settings. Remember, using "supposed to be working" is most appropriate when emphasizing an unfilled duty rather than a mere statement of activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meant to be employed

Focuses on the intention or plan for someone to be employed.

expected to be on duty

Emphasizes the formal requirement of being at work and performing duties.

scheduled to be active

Highlights the planned or timetabled aspect of working.

obliged to be productive

Stresses the duty or necessity to be productive at work.

required to be engaged

Highlights a formal requirement to be involved in work activities.

tasked with laboring

Focuses on the specific assignment of labor.

under obligation to toil

Emphasizes the binding duty to work hard.

bound to be industrious

Highlights the characteristic of being diligent and hardworking as an expectation.

anticipated to be occupied

Suggests that someone's time is planned and dedicated to working.

destined to be laboring

Implies a predestined or inevitable aspect of working.

FAQs

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

Use "supposed to be working" to indicate that someone should be working, often implying they are not or that there's a reason they aren't. For example, "He's "supposed to be working", but he's watching TV".

What's a more formal alternative to "supposed to be working"?

In more formal contexts, consider phrases like "expected to be on duty" or "required to be engaged in work" to convey the same meaning as ""supposed to be working"".

Is it correct to say "I was suppose to be working"?

No, the correct form is "I was "supposed to be working"". The word "supposed" ends with a 'd'.

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

"Should be working" expresses an opinion or recommendation about what someone ought to do, while ""supposed to be working"" indicates an expectation or obligation. For example, "He should be working" suggests it's advisable, but "He's supposed to be working" implies it's his responsibility.