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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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was supposed to get

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was supposed to get" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate an expectation or obligation that was intended to happen in the past but may not have occurred. Example: "I was supposed to get the report finished by Friday, but I ran out of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But, he said, "no one was supposed to get hurt".

News & Media

The New York Times

And he knew that he was supposed to get out of bed and open the door.

News & Media

The New Yorker

She didn't worry about getting fat — she was supposed to get fat.

News & Media

The New Yorker

The department Sebelius was in charge of was supposed to get it to them.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"I was supposed to get one of those as a souvenir for a friend".

News & Media

The New Yorker

She said to her friend: "My daughter was supposed to get a refrigerator delivered today.

News & Media

The New York Times

"She must have known it wasn't the gift she was supposed to get.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I thought it was supposed to get better after high school".

News & Media

The New York Times

She was supposed to get up late, and meet him later.

News & Media

The New Yorker

The company was supposed to get reauthorized in 2004, but failed to do so.

News & Media

The New York Times

He has said :"I was supposed to get psychological counselling every three months.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was supposed to get" to indicate a past expectation or plan that may or may not have been fulfilled. For clarity, consider adding context about why the expectation wasn't met, if known.

Common error

Avoid using "was supposed to get" when referring to current expectations. Use "is supposed to get" for present or future expectations.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was supposed to get" functions as a modal expression indicating a past expectation, obligation, or arrangement that may or may not have been fulfilled. It combines the past tense of the verb 'be' with 'supposed to' and 'get' to convey this sense. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was supposed to get" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a past expectation or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources such as news media, scientific publications, and formal business documents. When using this phrase, be mindful of maintaining a neutral tone and accurately conveying the intended meaning of an unfulfilled expectation or plan. Alternatives include "was intended to receive" or "should have received".

FAQs

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

Use "was supposed to get" to express a past expectation or arrangement that didn't necessarily occur. For example, "I was supposed to get a raise last year, but the company had financial difficulties."

What's the difference between "was meant to get" and "was supposed to get"?

While both express past expectations, "was supposed to get" suggests a stronger sense of obligation or prearrangement, whereas "was meant to get" can imply a general intention or purpose.

Is it correct to say "I was suppose to get"?

No, the correct phrasing is "I was supposed to get". "Suppose" should be in its past participle form, "supposed".

What can I say instead of "was supposed to get"?

You can use alternatives like "was expected to obtain", "should have received", or "was intended to receive" depending on the context.

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Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: