we were supposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were supposed" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to express expectations or obligations that were not met or fulfilled. Here is an example: "We were supposed to have our presentation ready by noon, but technical difficulties delayed our progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We did what we were supposed to.

The New York Times - Sports

We were supposed to shout "Yeah!

The New Yorker

We were supposed to be weird.

The New York Times

We were supposed to win.

The New York Times - Sports

We were supposed to win that game.

The New York Times - Sports

We were supposed to comment on them".

The Guardian - Music

We were supposed to stop writing jokes.

The New York Times

That's where we were supposed to play".

The New York Times - Sports

We'd cry when we were supposed to cry, laugh when we were supposed to laugh.

The Guardian

We were supposed to have flying cars by now.

Yale University

We were supposed to be past all that by now.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were supposed", ensure the context clearly indicates who "we" refers to, and what the expected action or outcome was. This avoids ambiguity and ensures effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "we were supposed" without clearly defining who "we" represents. Ensure your audience understands the group or entity being referenced to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were supposed" functions as a modal construction expressing expectation or obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates an anticipated action or state, often implying that the expectation was not met. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

13%

The Guardian

8%

Less common in

The New Yorker

4%

Forbes

2%

Huffington Post

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were supposed" is a versatile phrase used to express unmet expectations or obligations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig's examples show it spans various contexts, from news and media to academic discussions. Remember to clearly define "we" to avoid ambiguity and to use "supposed", not "suppose". Alternatives like "we were expected to" can add formality when needed. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "we were supposed" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were expected to

Replaces 'supposed' with 'expected', emphasizing anticipation of action.

we should have

Indicates a missed obligation or a course of action that wasn't followed.

we were meant to

Substitutes 'supposed' with 'meant', implying a preordained plan or destiny.

it was our understanding that

Emphasizes a shared agreement or assumption that influenced expectations.

we had a commitment to

Highlights the presence of a prior agreement or responsibility.

our plan was to

Focuses on a deliberate plan or intention that was outlined beforehand.

we were scheduled to

Emphasizes a specific timing or arrangement for an event or activity.

we were obliged to

Highlights an obligation to perform a specific action, often legally or morally binding.

it was anticipated that we would

Focuses on the expectation or prediction of a future action.

we were under the impression that

Highlights a belief or assumption that influenced expectations, possibly mistaken.

FAQs

How can I use "we were supposed" in a sentence?

Use "we were supposed" to indicate an expectation or obligation that was not fulfilled. For example, "We were supposed to go to the party, but we got stuck at work".

What's a more formal alternative to "we were supposed"?

In formal contexts, consider using "we were expected to" or "it was our understanding that" to convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

Is it correct to say "we were suppose to" instead of "we were supposed to"?

No, "we were suppose to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "we were supposed to", with the '-d' at the end of 'supposed'.

What is the difference between "we were supposed to" and "we should have"?

"We were supposed to" indicates an expectation or arrangement, while "we should have" expresses regret or a missed opportunity. For example, "We were supposed to meet at 7 PM" indicates a plan, whereas "We should have left earlier" expresses regret.