supposed to match

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposed to match" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is expected or intended to correspond or be in agreement with something else. Example: "The colors of the curtains are supposed to match the sofa for a cohesive look in the living room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"They're not supposed to match".

The New York Times - Magazine

The new model is supposed to match with the actual working conditions.

Cold Regions Science and Technology

It rises, he supposed, to match the mass Of what's submerged.

The New York Times

Officially, a passport is supposed to match a person's driver's license, Social Security card, paycheck and tax returns.

The New York Times

I told you, the whole to long and the long to short ratios are supposed to match.

The New York Times

The fight was supposed to match two big punchers in what figured to be a very competitive evening.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The winner of that match was supposed to meet Vladimir Kramnik, the other current world champion, as part of a 2002 plan to reunify the title.

The New York Times

The removal of the requirement to study languages through secondary school a few years ago was supposed to be matched by the universal teaching of second languages at the primary level, but the legislation to effect that fell with the Brown government, and it is now far from clear when it will be implemented.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was supposed to mean matching defences at the level rendered necessary by the Warsaw Pact's offensive capabilities without spurring a further arms race.

Wikipedia

Getting under way 23 hours after it was supposed to, this match between the bottom side, Kent, and fifth-placed Northamptonshire has moved on at rapid pace, with 17 wickets falling in the day.

The Guardian - Sport

Each case was supposed to have one matched control (match on ± 2 years and province of residence), however some problems were faced in recruiting controls in older age groups, specially 69 years and older, therefore we have 1506 controls.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supposed to match", ensure the context clearly establishes the expected relationship or correspondence between the elements being compared. For example: "The paint color is supposed to match the existing trim."

Common error

Avoid using "supposed to match" when the expectation is unrealistic or not clearly defined. Saying "My skills are supposed to match any job" is too broad; specify which jobs or skills you are referring to for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to match" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing expectation, obligation, or intention. Ludwig AI shows the phrase is often used to describe a desired state or planned outcome, indicating that something is expected to correspond or align with something else.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supposed to match" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an expectation, intention, or requirement for correspondence between two things. Ludwig AI validates its usage in diverse contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the expectation is well-defined. While alternatives like "meant to align" exist, "supposed to match" provides a direct and versatile way to describe intended relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should correspond

Offers a more direct and less assertive way of expressing that something should match, but can be used in place of "supposed to match".

meant to align

Replaces "supposed to" with "meant to", slightly altering the level of expectation. "Meant" implies more of a design or purpose.

ought to align

Similar to "should correspond" but slightly more formal, suggesting an obligation to align.

intended to correspond

Substitutes both "supposed to" and "match" with more formal alternatives, focusing on intentional correspondence.

aimed to correspond

Emphasizes the intended aim or goal of correspondence, useful when describing design or planning.

designed to synchronize

Emphasizes the intentional design for synchronization, suitable for technical contexts.

expected to be consistent

Focuses on the expectation of consistency, which is a broader concept than a direct match.

expected to coincide

Replaces "match" with "coincide", highlighting the expectation of simultaneous occurrence or agreement.

required to conform

Indicates a requirement or rule for conforming, adding a layer of obligation.

predestined to coincide

Adds a sense of fate or inevitability to the matching, which can be used in philosophical or dramatic contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "supposed to match" to indicate an expectation or requirement for correspondence between two things. For example, "The wallpaper is "supposed to match" the curtains" or "The model is "supposed to match" real-world conditions".

What are some alternatives to "supposed to match"?

Alternatives include "meant to align", "intended to correspond", or "should correspond", depending on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is it correct to say "supposed to be matching" instead of "supposed to match"?

While "supposed to be matching" isn't incorrect, "supposed to match" is generally more concise and preferred. The continuous form "be matching" adds a sense of ongoing action that isn't usually necessary.

In what contexts is "supposed to match" most commonly used?

"Supposed to match" is commonly used in contexts involving design, planning, expectations, and requirements. It frequently appears in news articles, scientific papers, and academic discussions where describing intended relationships is important.