which is supposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is supposed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an expectation or assumption about something that is intended or believed to be true. Example: "The project, which is supposed to be completed by next month, is already behind schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The blowout preventer, which is supposed to contain a well bore breach, also failed.

The New York Times

Another reboot is due shortly, which is supposed to make Facebook easier to use again.

The New York Times

The streamlining of the group, which is supposed to generate further cost synergies, would be delayed.

The New York Times

It worked far better than iTunes's "sound check," which is supposed to do the same thing.

The New York Times

One example is.hiv, which is supposed to help raise money for charities.

The Economist

That money seems to be different from the dole, which is supposed to be brought home.

The New Yorker

process, which is supposed to spread the rewards to innovation, is broken.

The New Yorker

And the CFDT, which is supposed to be moderate, has not been able to be heard".

The New York Times

But it's a spinel, which is supposed to be semi-precious.

Independent

SAP is based in Europe, which is supposed to be on the verge of a recession.

The New York Times

The PRA, which is supposed to oversee the financial soundness of banks, declined to comment yesterday.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is supposed" to clearly indicate the intended function, purpose, or expectation associated with a noun phrase. For instance, "This software, which is supposed to streamline the workflow, has actually made it more complicated."

Common error

Avoid using "which is supposed" when you actually mean "which was supposed to". The latter implies an unfulfilled expectation or a past obligation that was not met, while "which is supposed" refers to a current expectation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is supposed" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about the noun it modifies. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates an expectation or assumption about something intended or believed to be true.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which is supposed" introduces nonrestrictive relative clauses to indicate intended functions or expectations. As Ludwig AI points out, its grammatical correctness and versatility make it suitable across various contexts, from News & Media to Science, with a neutral register. To ensure accurate usage, avoid confusing it with "which was supposed to", and use it to clarify the purpose or expected behavior of a subject. Ludwig's examples showcase its broad applicability and reliability in conveying intended functions or assumed qualities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is intended to

Emphasizes the intended purpose or design of something.

that is meant to

Highlights the expected function or purpose, often in a more informal way.

that is designed to

Focuses on the design aspect, implying a specific purpose was considered.

that is intended for

Specifies the target or purpose for which something is designed or meant.

that should

Indicates an expectation or obligation for something to occur or function in a certain way.

that is expected to

Emphasizes the anticipation or expectation of a certain outcome or behavior.

that aims to

Highlights the goal or objective that something is trying to achieve.

that is purported to

Suggests that something is claimed to have a certain quality or effect, often with a hint of skepticism.

that is understood to

Implies a general understanding or agreement about the purpose or function of something.

that is believed to

Indicates a belief or opinion about the function or quality of something, without necessarily implying certainty.

FAQs

How do I use "which is supposed" in a sentence?

Use "which is supposed" to add nonessential information about a noun, indicating its intended function or expectation. For example, "The new filter, which is supposed to remove impurities, doesn't seem to be working."

What can I say instead of "which is supposed"?

You can use alternatives like "that is intended to", "that is meant to", or "that is designed to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "that is supposed" instead of "which is supposed"?

While both "that" and "which" can introduce relative clauses, "which" is typically used for nonrestrictive clauses that add extra information, whereas "that" is used for restrictive clauses that are essential to the meaning of the sentence. "Which is supposed" is therefore preferable when the information is nonessential.

What's the difference between "which is supposed to" and "which was supposed to"?

"Which is supposed to" indicates a current expectation or intended function, while "which was supposed to" refers to an expectation or plan that existed in the past, often implying that it was not fulfilled. For example, "The report, which is supposed to be finished by Friday, is still in progress" versus "The report, which was supposed to be finished last week, is still not done."