was supposed to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"was supposed to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to express that something was expected, but it did not happen. For example, "The package was supposed to be here today, but it hasn't arrived yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was supposed to be his puppet".

The New Yorker

Guantánamo was supposed to be gone.

The New York Times - Magazine

"That was supposed to be me.

The New York Times - Sports

SHE was supposed to be a secretary.

The New York Times

Landslide season was supposed to be over.

The New York Times

He was supposed to be the wind.

The New York Times

"He was supposed to be the pacemaker.

The New York Times

Saturday was supposed to be their day.

The New York Times - Sports

IT WAS supposed to be recession-proof.

The Economist

I was supposed to be pleasant.

The New Yorker

It was supposed to be very sexy".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was supposed to be" to clearly indicate a past expectation that was not fulfilled. This adds clarity and can highlight the contrast between what was planned and what actually happened.

Common error

Avoid using "is supposed to be" when referring to a past event that did not occur. The correct form to indicate a past unfulfilled expectation is "was supposed to be".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was supposed to be" functions as a modal expression indicating a past expectation, plan, or arrangement that did not materialize. It modifies a statement by expressing that something was expected, intended, or scheduled to occur but did not.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was supposed to be" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to express that a past expectation or plan did not occur. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It's primarily found in news and media contexts, serving to highlight deviations from anticipated events. When writing, ensure correct tense usage and consider alternatives like "was intended to be" for varied expression. Avoid using "is supposed to be" when the context requires "was supposed to be".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was intended to be

Emphasizes the original intention or design.

was meant to be

Highlights the intended purpose or destiny.

was expected to be

Focuses on the anticipation or expectation.

was scheduled to be

Specifies a planned or timetabled event.

was slated to be

Similar to scheduled, but often implies a formal arrangement.

was designated to be

Highlights a specific designation or assignment.

was conceived as

Focuses on the initial idea or concept.

was designed as

Highlights the purpose and structure of an action.

was envisioned as

Emphasizes the ideal or imagined form.

should have been

Implies a deviation from a desired or expected state.

FAQs

How can I use "was supposed to be" in a sentence?

"Was supposed to be" indicates a past expectation that did not happen. For example, "The meeting "was supposed to be" yesterday, but it was canceled."

What are some alternatives to "was supposed to be"?

You can use phrases like "was intended to be", "was meant to be", or "was expected to be" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "was supposed to be" or "is supposed to be" when talking about the past?

When referring to a past expectation that did not happen, ""was supposed to be"" is correct. "Is supposed to be" refers to a current or future expectation.

What's the difference between "was supposed to be" and "should have been"?

"Was supposed to be" indicates a plan or expectation that didn't occur, while "should have been" often implies a sense of regret or that something didn't happen as ideally desired.