supposed to hope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposed to hope" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used in contexts where someone is expected to have hope or optimism about a situation, but it is not commonly phrased this way. Example: "In times of uncertainty, we are all supposed to hope for a better future."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Come on, "Hope and Change?" We're not supposed to hope for anything, we're supposed to go get stuff.

Huffington Post

Because we're supposed to hope for the best and prepare for the worst, and a real scientific response would also give serious weight to the dark side of the curve.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If we are supposed to have hope in anything, it's hope that Superman keeps fighting for good.

Vice

"How are you supposed to have hope if there's nothing around?" Last spring, she started praying for the block.

The New York Times

They also can weaken crucial sectors of fledgling private economies that are supposed to hold out hope for national growth.

The New York Times

It was during this period, with his fortunes at low ebb, that he is supposed to have derived hope and patience from watching a spider perseveringly weaving its web.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She pointed out that although he had not yet taken part in player auditions, in which he is supposed to have a vote, she hoped he might make one next month for an opening in the horn section.

The New York Times - Arts

"I hope I'm not supposed to have learnt it all, because it's a long story!" I ask about an intriguing project listed on the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com).

Independent

Why did President Obama, who was supposed to inspire hope, become so willing to appeal to our hates in his bid for re-election?

The New York Times

They filed bleakly past neighborhood trees, bushes and lampposts tied with faded, tattered yellow ribbons, ribbons that were supposed to keep hope -- and Chandra -- alive.

The New York Times

These were supposed to be the Hope Solo Olympics for the United States women's football team.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "supposed to hope", ensure the context clearly indicates an expectation or obligation to be hopeful, and consider whether alternative phrasings like "expected to hope" or "meant to hope" might be more idiomatic.

Common error

Avoid using "supposed to hope" when simply expressing a personal hope or desire. This phrase implies an external expectation, not just an internal feeling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to hope" functions as a modal construction expressing an expectation or obligation. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrasing isn't standard English, it implies an external expectation rather than a personal feeling. Examples illustrate contexts where hope is not just desired but expected.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supposed to hope" is grammatically acceptable but uncommon. It implies an expectation or obligation to be hopeful, rather than simply expressing a personal hope. As Ludwig AI suggests, alternative phrasings like "expected to hope" or "meant to hope" are often more idiomatic. Usage is primarily found in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science sources, suggesting a neutral register. When writing, ensure the context clearly conveys an external expectation, and consider whether alternative phrasings would improve clarity. Although it isn't incorrect, it carries a risk of sounding slightly awkward to native English speakers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expected to hope

Emphasizes the expectation or obligation to maintain hope.

meant to hope

Highlights the intended purpose or design of a situation to inspire hope.

ought to hope

Suggests a moral or ethical obligation to be hopeful.

should hope

Indicates a recommendation or advice to remain hopeful.

are expected to be hopeful

Rephrases the expectation with a more descriptive approach.

are meant to be optimistic

Shifts the focus to optimism as the expected attitude.

are obliged to have hope

Highlights the obligation or duty to maintain hope.

are encouraged to be hopeful

Focuses on the act of encouraging hope.

are required to be optimistic

Emphasizes a requirement to be optimistic.

are bound to be hopeful

Suggests an inevitability or strong likelihood of being hopeful.

FAQs

What does "supposed to hope" mean?

The phrase "supposed to hope" suggests there is an expectation or obligation to be hopeful, either due to circumstances or external pressure. It implies more than just a personal desire; it indicates a perceived necessity or duty to maintain hope.

When is it appropriate to use "supposed to hope" in a sentence?

Use "supposed to hope" when you want to convey that someone is expected or required to maintain hope in a particular situation. For example, "After the announcement, the team was "expected to hope" for a comeback".

What are some alternatives to "supposed to hope"?

Alternatives include "expected to hope", "meant to hope", or "ought to hope". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize expectation, intention, or moral obligation.

Is "supposed to hope" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "supposed to hope" is not a common idiom. It's generally understandable but may sound slightly awkward to native English speakers. Alternatives like "expected to hope" are often preferred for clarity.