supposed to stop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposed to stop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating an expectation or obligation to cease an action or behavior. Example: "You are supposed to stop talking during the movie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were supposed to stop writing jokes.

The New York Times

Teenagers are supposed to stop being sullen.

The New York Times

Whom are they supposed to stop?

The New York Times

We are supposed to stop accumulating things, and start shedding.

The New York Times - Travel

The shooting Peterson was supposed to stop was already over.

The Washington Post

Treatment was supposed to stop once the tumor started worsening.

The New York Times

"They are supposed to stop criminals, not anybody who's black".

The New York Times

It was something kids were supposed to stop doing.

The New Yorker

How is that supposed to stop banks mis-selling?

The Guardian - Money

The Street neutered the Dodd-Frank act that was supposed to stop the gambling.

University of California, Berkeley

It is supposed to stop terrorists digging tunnels to smuggle weapons in and out.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "supposed to stop" to clearly communicate expectations or planned cessation of an action. It is particularly useful in instructions, agreements, or when describing regulations.

Common error

Avoid misspelling "supposed to" as "use to". "Use to" indicates a past habit, while "supposed to" indicates an expectation or obligation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to stop" functions as a modal construction expressing expectation, obligation, or planned cessation. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supposed to stop" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating an expectation, obligation, or planned cessation. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While versatile, it's crucial to distinguish it from similar-sounding phrases and to use it accurately to convey the intended meaning. With a neutral register, it fits well in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meant to stop

Emphasizes intention or design rather than obligation.

obliged to stop

Highlights a stronger sense of duty or requirement.

required to stop

Focuses on a formal or mandated necessity.

expected to stop

Indicates a general anticipation or common belief.

should stop

Offers a recommendation or suggestion, less forceful than "supposed to".

ought to stop

Similar to 'should stop', implying a moral or practical obligation.

scheduled to stop

Highlights a planned or prearranged cessation.

bound to stop

Suggests inevitability or a very high probability of stopping.

intended to stop

Emphasizes the initial plan or aim.

predicted to stop

Focuses on forecasting or anticipation based on available information.

FAQs

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

Use "supposed to stop" to express an expectation or obligation for something to cease. For example, "The rain was "supposed to stop" by noon."

What is the difference between "supposed to stop" and "required to stop"?

"Supposed to stop" indicates a general expectation or agreement, while "required to stop" implies a formal or mandated necessity. "Required to stop" is stronger and often backed by rules or laws.

What are some alternatives to "supposed to stop"?

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

Is "supposed to stopped" grammatically correct?

No, "supposed to stopped" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""supposed to stop"" because "to" is followed by the base form of the verb.