we supposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we supposed" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would typically be "we were supposed" when indicating an expectation or obligation. Example: "We were supposed to meet at 3 PM, but I got caught in traffic."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Weren't we supposed to?

The New Yorker

Are we supposed to feel shock?

The New York Times

Are we supposed to ignore that fact?

The New York Times

What are we supposed to do?

The New York Times

Where're we supposed to escape to?

The New Yorker

But are we supposed to be?

The New Yorker

"Where are we supposed to go then?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Poetry, we suppose, is special.

The New York Times - Books

We suppose it could have been worse.

The New York Times

We suppose we shouldn't be surprised.

The New York Times

Which, we suppose, makes Niall Quinn nearly count.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing an assumption or expectation in the past, ensure you include the auxiliary verb "were" before "supposed" for grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "we supposed" when you mean "we were supposed to". The omission of "were" creates a grammatically incorrect sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we supposed" appears as a clause intended to express assumption or expectation. However, it's grammatically incomplete, as noted by Ludwig AI, requiring the auxiliary verb "were" to form the correct past tense construction. It functions as a subject and verb, but incorrectly.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we supposed" is grammatically incorrect, as it omits the necessary auxiliary verb "were" to properly express a past expectation or assumption. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct form is "we were supposed to". Although the phrase may occasionally appear in writing, it's advisable to use the grammatically correct form or consider alternatives such as "we were meant to" or "we had assumed" to maintain clarity and accuracy in communication. Using precise language enhances credibility in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were supposed to

Adds the auxiliary verb 'were' and the infinitive marker 'to' to form the correct past tense passive construction.

we were meant to

Uses 'meant to' as an alternative way to express an expectation or intention.

it was our understanding that

Rephrases the expectation as a shared understanding or belief.

we had assumed that

Expresses the idea as a prior assumption or belief.

we had expected that

Replaces 'supposed' with 'expected' to convey anticipation.

we understood that

Focuses on comprehension or awareness of a situation.

we were under the impression that

Indicates a belief or opinion, possibly mistaken.

it was our belief that

Emphasizes that the statement was a firmly held opinion.

we had been led to believe

Indicates that the belief was formed by external influence.

we took it for granted that

Implies an unstated assumption that was considered obvious.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say what was expected of us?

The correct way to phrase an expectation or obligation is to say "we were supposed to". For example, "we were supposed to bring snacks" is grammatically correct.

Is "we supposed" grammatically correct?

No, "we supposed" is not grammatically correct. It requires the auxiliary verb "were" to properly convey an expectation or obligation in the past tense. The phrase should be "we were supposed to".

What are some alternatives to 'we were supposed to'?

Alternatives include "we were meant to", "we had expected", or "we understood that", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How can I avoid making mistakes with similar phrases?

Double-check that you include the auxiliary verb "were" when describing past expectations or obligations. Also, consider using alternative phrases like "we were meant to" or "it was our understanding" to avoid the mistake altogether.