supposed to hate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposed to hate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an expectation or belief that someone should have negative feelings towards something or someone. Example: "Everyone says I'm supposed to hate that movie, but I actually enjoyed it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Am I supposed to hate Wendy?

The New Yorker

"Our family is supposed to hate him.

The New York Times

We're supposed to hate you.

The Guardian

"But you're not supposed to hate anybody".

The New York Times - Sports

Am I supposed to hate my town, am I supposed to hate all English people, or my government?

The Guardian - Film

Roman Catholics are supposed to hate the sin but love the sinner.

The New York Times - Arts

When they don't know they're supposed to hate each other, strange things can happen.

The New York Times

The police were pigs, an instrument of The Man, the thing you were supposed to hate.

The New York Times

Are we supposed to hate the pop songs in 'A Star Is Born'?

The Washington Post

It's an early indicator of something else Xers are supposed to hate: mass appeal.

The Washington Post

Cusk's characterisation of feminism starts strangely: "Then again, the feminist is supposed to hate men.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "supposed to hate" to express a societal expectation, a character's prescribed role, or a conventional attitude one is expected to hold. Be mindful of the context to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the intended nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "supposed to hate" when describing personal preferences or subjective feelings unrelated to broader social norms or expectations. Ensure that the subject is genuinely expected by others, or a group, to hate what is being discussed, not just personally disliking it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to hate" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing an expectation, obligation, or social norm regarding feelings of dislike or animosity. As noted by Ludwig AI, it correctly conveys the idea that someone is expected to have negative feelings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supposed to hate" is a common and grammatically sound way to express an expectation or obligation to dislike something, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It is frequently used in news and media contexts to highlight societal norms or prescribed feelings. While alternatives like "expected to dislike" or "meant to detest" exist, "supposed to hate" carries a specific weight of societal expectation. When using this phrase, ensure that the expectation is genuinely present and that you're not simply describing a personal dislike. Be careful to avoid using it when there is no general societal expectation to hate. Its frequent usage in authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Washington Post underscores its validity and reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expected to despise

This alternative uses stronger vocabulary to express a high level of dislike.

meant to detest

This phrase implies a preordained or intended feeling of strong aversion.

obliged to loathe

This suggests a sense of duty or compulsion to feel intense dislike.

should feel animosity towards

This alternative emphasizes the feeling of hostility or strong dislike.

under an obligation to dislike

This phrases highlights the duty or requirement to dislike something.

expected to harbor ill will

This suggests a sustained negative sentiment or resentment.

predisposed to aversion

This means a natural inclination towards disliking something.

conditioned to disapprove

This highlights that dislike is a learned response or reaction.

socially obligated to resent

Highlights the social expectation to feel bitterness toward something.

traditionally expected to scorn

This indicates a long-standing, culturally ingrained expectation of dislike.

FAQs

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

You can use "supposed to hate" to indicate an expectation or obligation to dislike something. For example, "As a lifelong Yankees fan, I'm supposed to hate the Red Sox".

What's a good alternative to "supposed to hate"?

Alternatives include "expected to dislike", "meant to detest", or "obliged to loathe", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to say someone is "supposed to hate" something?

No, it's important to ensure the expectation to hate is genuinely present and not just a personal feeling. The phrase suggests a broader, often societal, expectation.

What is the difference between "supposed to hate" and "expected to dislike"?

"Supposed to hate" suggests a stronger obligation or societal expectation to dislike something, while "expected to dislike" implies a more general anticipation of disliking without the same sense of obligation.