which is supposed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"which is supposed to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action or event that is generally expected or needed. For example: We all received our assignments, which is supposed to be completed by the end of the week.

✓ 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

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the clause following "which is supposed to" logically connects to the noun it modifies. This prevents confusion and maintains coherence.

Common error

Avoid confusing "which is supposed to" with "supposedly". "Which is supposed to" indicates an expected function or obligation, while "supposedly" implies doubt or hearsay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is supposed to" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, providing additional information about a noun. It indicates the intended purpose, expected behavior, or a common belief associated with the noun it modifies. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its widespread usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which is supposed to" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to indicate the intended purpose or expected behavior of something. It functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, adding descriptive detail. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts such as news, science, and business. While adaptable, users should be mindful of its distinct meaning compared to similar terms like "supposedly". Overall, mastering the use of "which is supposed to" enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is meant to

Emphasizes intention or design, implying a specific purpose.

that should

Expresses obligation or recommendation more directly.

that is intended to

Focuses on the planned use or function of something.

that is designed to

Highlights the engineered purpose or functionality.

that is expected to

Stresses anticipation or prediction based on current circumstances.

that is assumed to

Suggests a presumption or belief about the typical behavior or state.

that is purported to

Implies a claim or assertion that may or may not be accurate.

that is said to

Attributes the expectation to an unspecified source, creating distance.

that is understood to

Indicates a common knowledge or generally accepted understanding.

that is believed to

Expresses a conviction or faith regarding the characteristic or attribute.

FAQs

How to use "which is supposed to" in a sentence?

Use "which is supposed to" to add a descriptive nonrestrictive clause. For example, "The backup system, "which is supposed to" prevent data loss, failed during the power outage."

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

You can use alternatives like "that is meant to", "that should", or "that is intended to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "which is suppose to" (without the 'd')?

No, "which is suppose to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "which is supposed to", with the past participle 'supposed'.

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

"Which is supposed to" describes an intended function or expectation, while "supposedly" implies something is claimed or believed but may not be true.