supposed to devote

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposed to devote" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating an expectation or obligation to dedicate time or resources to something. Example: "She is supposed to devote her weekends to volunteering at the local shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Astatke, whose appearance in London on 13 September will be a highlight of the Southbank Centre's Africa Utopia festival, was supposed to devote his life to aeronautical engineering.

The Guardian - Music

"I listen to God, and what I've heard is that I'm supposed to devote myself to rebuilding the conservative base of the Republican Party, and I think we shouldn't be underestimated".

The New Yorker

But police forces are supposed to devote "proportionate" amounts of effort to the various cases they're investigating; and given that nobody died or was physically beaten up in the commission of this particular crime, many might argue that no more money should have been spent.

BBC

Though the settlement has yet to be made final, FTC spokesperson Juliana Gruenwald Henderson told VICE News that "the FTC's order requires Uber to implement a privacy program where the company is supposed to devote more attention to privacy issues".

Vice

Nonprofit "social welfare" groups like Wellspring aren't supposed to devote the majority of their time and money to electoral activities; they're also not supposed to work for the benefit of a single group, like a political party.

Huffington Post

Such groups are supposed to devote more than half of their energies to non-election-related social welfare activities, and the IRS has yet to rule on its status.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Let me get back to foreign policy," the moderator Bob Schieffer said, midway through a debate that was, after all, supposed to be devoted to that subject.

The New Yorker

Ms. Denis is primarily a health teacher, but her sixth-grade classes are supposed to be devoted to study skills, not health.

The New York Times

By Amy Davidson Sorkin October 24, 2012 "Let me get back to foreign policy," the moderator Bob Schieffer said, midway through a debate that was, after all, supposed to be devoted to that subject.

The New Yorker

Played in a really bad toupee by the fabulous downtown Everyman Jim Fletcher (Gatsby in the Elevator Repair Service's "Gatz"), Martle is supposed to be devoting this morning exclusively to Lee — "encouraging my wings," as Lee puts it.

The New York Times

Your representative, who was supposed to be devoting his or her time to licking your local-voter boots, has been re-assigned to collect cash for the wooing of people in San Pedro, Calif., or northeast Oklahoma.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "supposed to devote" to clearly indicate an expected or planned allocation of time, resources, or effort towards a specific goal or purpose. This phrase accurately conveys obligation or intention.

Common error

Avoid using "supposed to devote" when the obligation is merely a suggestion or preference. This phrase implies a stronger expectation or requirement, so choose a more suitable expression if the obligation is weak.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to devote" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing obligation or expectation. It indicates that someone is expected to dedicate their time, resources, or efforts to a specific purpose. Ludwig confirms the correct usage of the phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "supposed to devote" is a grammatically sound infinitive phrase used to express an expectation, obligation, or planned allocation of resources or time. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is correctly used in numerous contexts, primarily in news, media, and scientific domains. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the strength of the obligation you want to convey and consider alternatives like "meant to dedicate" or "expected to allocate" for subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meant to dedicate

Emphasizes intention or design in dedicating resources or time.

expected to allocate

Highlights an anticipation or requirement to allocate resources.

obliged to commit

Focuses on a binding duty or responsibility to commit time or resources.

required to assign

Stresses a mandated assignment of resources or attention.

scheduled to dedicate

Indicates a prearranged plan or timetable for dedication.

intended to apply

Highlights the planned application of effort or resources.

slated to apportion

Implies an official assignment or distribution of resources.

destined to give

Suggests a predetermined or inevitable giving of time or resources.

tasked to expend

Focuses on a specific assignment to expend effort or resources.

earmarked to allocate

Emphasizes a specific designation of funds or resources.

FAQs

How can I use "supposed to devote" in a sentence?

You can use "supposed to devote" to indicate an expectation or obligation to dedicate time or resources to something. For instance, "She is "supposed to devote" her weekends to volunteering at the local shelter".

What are some alternatives to "supposed to devote"?

Alternatives include "meant to dedicate", "expected to allocate", or "obliged to commit" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "supposed to be devoting" instead of "supposed to devote"?

Yes, "supposed to be devoting" is also grammatically correct. It implies an ongoing action or a continuous dedication, while "supposed to devote" expresses a general expectation or requirement.

What's the difference between "supposed to devote" and "dedicated to"?

"Supposed to devote" indicates an expectation or obligation to dedicate, whereas "dedicated to" implies a voluntary commitment or being fully committed to something. For example, someone might be "supposed to devote" time to a project, but is truly "dedicated to" their family.