supposed to talk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposed to talk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating an expectation or obligation to communicate or discuss something. Example: "I was supposed to talk to my manager about the project updates today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What am I supposed to talk about?

The New York Times

So you're supposed to talk a lot.

The New York Times

You were not supposed to talk about that.

The New Yorker

All these groups are supposed to talk things out.

The Economist

But I'm not supposed to talk about that.

The New Yorker

I was supposed to talk a little bit about impacts.

Cornell University

Children aren't supposed to talk to strangers anyway.

The Telegraph

Computers that were supposed to talk to each other didn't.

The Guardian

At least spies are supposed to talk in riddles.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Nobody was supposed to talk about it no more".

The New York Times

"We are not supposed to talk about his sculpture now," Keren Ann said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supposed to talk" in formal writing, ensure the context doesn't require a more precise or formal alternative such as "expected to speak" or "required to address".

Common error

Avoid using "supposed to talk" when the expectation is based purely on assumption rather than an actual agreement or instruction. In such cases, phrases like "assumed to talk" or "thought to talk" are more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to talk" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing obligation, expectation, or requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that someone is expected or required to engage in conversation or discussion. Examples from Ludwig show varied contexts, from planned meetings to restricted topics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "supposed to talk" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express an expectation or obligation to speak. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. When writing, consider whether a more formal alternative, such as "expected to speak" or "required to address", would be more appropriate for your intended audience. While widely accepted, ensure the context warrants a true expectation rather than a mere assumption. Remember to use "supposed to talk" to clearly convey intended or formally arranged conversations. The phrase enjoys frequent usage across authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expected to speak

Indicates a formal expectation or anticipation of someone speaking.

meant to say

Implies an intention or plan for verbal communication.

obligated to discuss

Highlights a formal or moral duty to engage in conversation.

required to address

Emphasizes a necessity or demand to speak about a specific topic.

authorized to disclose

Suggests official permission to reveal information through speech.

permitted to mention

Indicates allowance or consent to bring up a topic in conversation.

allowed to converse

Highlights the freedom or privilege to engage in general conversation.

expected to communicate

Focuses on the anticipation of exchanging information verbally.

scheduled to present

Specifies a planned occasion for delivering a speech or presentation.

agreed to confer

Implies a mutual understanding or arrangement to discuss matters.

FAQs

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

The phrase "supposed to talk" indicates an expectation or obligation to speak. For example, "I was "supposed to talk" to my supervisor today, but she was unavailable".

What's a more formal alternative to "supposed to talk"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "expected to speak" or "required to address", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "supposed to talk" grammatically correct?

Yes, "supposed to talk" is grammatically correct and widely used in English to express an expectation or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is valid.

What is the difference between "supposed to talk" and "allowed to talk"?

"Supposed to talk" indicates an expectation or obligation, while "allowed to talk" indicates permission. One implies duty, the other, freedom.