supposed to respond

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposed to respond" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating an expectation or obligation for someone to reply or take action. Example: "You are supposed to respond to the email by the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Was I supposed to respond?

The New Yorker

And I was supposed to respond politely?

The New York Times

Shell is supposed to respond by Tuesday.

The New York Times

Takahashi is then supposed to respond to it.

The New York Times - Sports

How is the other person supposed to respond?

The New Yorker

"How is the audience supposed to respond?" he asked.

The New York Times

"What is it, exactly, that we're supposed to respond to or work with?" Mr. Stewart said.

The New York Times

Mr. Zhao didn't find her unattractive, but how was he supposed to respond?

The New York Times

Elected officials of all persuasions are supposed to respond to public opinion.

The New York Times - Magazine

"When you represent a client, and they make requests, you're supposed to respond".

The Guardian - Opinion

You can act like this, and then the person in power is not supposed to respond.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "supposed to respond" when indicating a social expectation or a procedural requirement. For instance, in a customer service context, it clearly communicates the expected action from the service provider.

Common error

Avoid using "supposed to respond" when you mean a genuine desire or preference, not just an obligation. Instead of saying "I'm supposed to respond to their invitation", if you actually want to go, say "I'm eager to accept their invitation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to respond" functions as a modal phrase indicating expectation or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct and usable in written English, aligning with its function to express an anticipated action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supposed to respond" is a common and grammatically sound way to express an expectation or obligation to react or answer. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. This phrase is particularly prevalent in news and media, but also appears in scientific and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, consider the nuance between expectation and genuine desire; alternatives such as "expected to reply" or "obligated to reply" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. Remember, being clear about whether you're conveying a required action or simply an anticipated response is key for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should respond

Suggests a recommendation or advisability to respond.

ought to reply

Similar to "should respond" but implies a stronger moral obligation.

expected to react

Focuses on the anticipated reaction rather than obligation.

required to answer

Highlights the mandatory nature of providing an answer.

obligated to reply

Emphasizes a formal or moral duty to respond.

expected to acknowledge

Stresses the expectation of recognizing or noticing something.

meant to acknowledge

Implies a pre-determined or intended action of acknowledgment.

anticipated to reply

Focuses on the prediction that a reply is forthcoming.

required to act

Focuses on the action that needs to be taken as a reply.

expected to chime in

Suggests a more casual or conversational response.

FAQs

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

Use "supposed to respond" to indicate an expectation or obligation to answer or react. For example, "The government is "supposed to respond" to the needs of the people".

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

Alternatives include "expected to reply", "required to answer", or "obligated to reply", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "supposed to respond" or "should respond"?

"Supposed to respond" indicates an obligation or expectation, while "should respond" suggests a recommendation or advisability. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "supposed to respond" and "expected to respond"?

"Supposed to respond" often implies a rule, procedure, or social norm. "Expected to respond" simply indicates an anticipation or belief that someone will answer.