we were supposed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were supposed to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a plan, obligation, expectation, or duty that has not been fulfilled, usually due to a change in circumstances. Example: "We were supposed to meet at the park, but it started raining, so we had to cancel our plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

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 stop writing jokes.

The New York Times

We were supposed to comment on them".

The Guardian - Music

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

We were supposed to be friends, allies and neighbours.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were supposed to" to clearly communicate unfulfilled plans or expectations. This phrase is versatile and understood in both formal and informal settings.

Common error

Ensure clarity by explicitly stating why the intended action didn't occur when using "we were supposed to". For example, instead of "We were supposed to finish the project", specify "We were supposed to finish the project, but we ran out of resources."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were supposed to" functions as a modal construction expressing a past obligation, expectation, or intention that was not realized. Ludwig AI's analysis highlights its frequent use in indicating unfulfilled plans, as demonstrated in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Sports

29%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were supposed to" is a very common and grammatically correct way to express unfulfilled plans, expectations, or obligations. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Sports, and to a lesser extent in Academia. Related phrases such as "we were meant to" and "we were expected to" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying why the intended action didn't occur. By avoiding vagueness and utilizing its expressive power, writers can effectively communicate deviations from plans and expectations with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were meant to

Indicates a prior intention or plan, similar to "we were supposed to", but often implies a stronger sense of destiny or inherent purpose.

we were intended to

Highlights the original intention or design, emphasizing the planned nature of an action or event.

we were scheduled to

Focuses on the planned or timetabled nature of an event, implying a formal arrangement.

we had planned to

Emphasizes the active planning process, suggesting a deliberate choice to undertake an action.

it was our understanding that we would

Highlights a mutual agreement or expectation, often used when there's been a misunderstanding or deviation from the original plan.

we were expected to

Implies an external expectation or requirement, often from a superior or authority figure.

we were obliged to

Suggests a sense of duty or legal requirement, implying a stronger obligation than a simple plan.

we were under the impression that we would

Indicates a belief or assumption about a future action, often implying surprise or disappointment when things turn out differently.

we were slated to

Highlights a scheduled or official arrangement, similar to "scheduled to" but with a slightly more formal tone.

we were to

A more concise way of expressing a planned or intended action, often used in formal contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "we were supposed to" to indicate an expectation, plan, or duty that didn't happen, often due to unforeseen circumstances. For example, "We were supposed to go to the concert, but it was canceled".

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

For formal contexts, consider using phrases like "we were expected to" or "it was our understanding that we would", which convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is "we were suppose to" grammatically correct?

No, "we were suppose to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "we were supposed to", where "supposed" is the past participle of "suppose".

What's the difference between "we were supposed to" and "we were going to"?

"We were going to" simply indicates a plan, while "we were supposed to" implies a plan that was not fulfilled, often due to an obligation or expectation. The latter carries a sense of responsibility or duty. For example, "We were going to go to the party (but decided not to)" vs. "We were supposed to go to the party (but had to work)".