supposed to work

USAGE SUMMARY

"supposed to work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action you expect to happen or a situation that was meant to be a certain way. For example: "The printer was supposed to work, but it's still not functioning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So how is Zerona supposed to work?

The New York Times

The system was supposed to work automatically.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This was supposed to work smoothly".

The New York Times

Distraction is supposed to work miracles.

The New Yorker

"You are supposed to work".

The New Yorker

It wasn't supposed to work that way.

The New York Times

That's how compromise is supposed to work.

The New York Times

That's how it's supposed to work, anyway.

The Guardian

(That's how competition is supposed to work).

The New Yorker

"That's how it's supposed to work".

The New York Times

Isn't that how it's supposed to work?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex systems or processes, use "supposed to work" to clearly outline the intended or expected behavior. This sets a baseline for understanding deviations or malfunctions.

Common error

Avoid using "supposed to work" when describing theoretical possibilities rather than established protocols. It implies a known or intended method, not just a hypothetical one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposed to work" functions as a descriptor indicating an expected or intended operation or functionality. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. Examples show its application in various contexts, from technology to societal systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

22%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "supposed to work" is a versatile phrase used to describe the expected functionality of something, often highlighting a discrepancy between expectation and reality. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its prevalence across news, academic, and general media underscores its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the basis of the expectation—whether it stems from design, intention, or established protocol. Remember, while adaptable, using "supposed to work" in contexts lacking a clear basis for expectation can dilute its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meant to function

Similar to "supposed to", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the original intention or plan.

expected to function

Focuses on the expected operational aspect, implying a designed or predicted manner of functioning.

how it should operate

Focuses on describing the correct operation of the object/system

should be operating

Implies a current expectation of function, often used when something is not working as intended.

designed to operate

Highlights the design aspect, suggesting the way something was intended to function from the outset.

ought to be working

Expresses a moral or logical expectation of functionality, similar to "should" but slightly stronger.

intended to perform

Emphasizes the intended action or performance, shifting the focus to the purpose rather than the mechanism.

the way it's designed

Focuses on the designed functionality, specifying "how" is expected to work.

how it's meant to be

Expresses how the object should behave under normal or ideal condition

how it is configured

Highlights the current configuration in relation to the expected functionality

FAQs

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

You can use "supposed to work" to describe the expected function of something, as in, "The new software was supposed to work seamlessly, but it crashed frequently."

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "meant to function", "expected to operate", or "designed to perform".

Is it correct to say "supposed to worked"?

No, "supposed to worked" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "supposed to work", where "work" is the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "supposed to work" and "used to work"?

"Supposed to work" refers to an expected or intended function, while "used to work" describes a past, habitual action or state. For instance, "This device is supposed to work" means it should function now, whereas "This device used to work" means it functioned in the past.