which is supposed to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is supposed to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a duty, obligation, or expectation that is expected to be fulfilled. For example, "The student is required to turn in their homework, which is supposed to be completed by Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is an example of something which is supposed to be a communal good being marketised and turned into cash.

The Guardian - Books

Take drugs like Ritalin, which is supposed to be for people with attention-deficit disorder.

Princeton University

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

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

The New Yorker

"They go to a field, which is supposed to be guarded.

The New York Times

You have a school which is supposed to be somewhere else displacing valued local institutions".

The Guardian

This was in a youth tournament, the purpose of which is supposed to be player development.

The Guardian - Sport

Even the moon, which is supposed to be up there somewhere, doesn't help.

The New York Times

There's also a danger that information which is supposed to be objective acquires a commercial slant.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is supposed to be" to clearly indicate an expected state, obligation, or intended function. Ensure the context provides a clear understanding of who or what establishes the expectation.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "which is supposed to be", as it can lead to passive constructions. Rephrase sentences to use active voice, creating more direct and engaging writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is supposed to be" functions as a relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about a noun or pronoun. It specifies an expected condition, obligation, or intended purpose. Ludwig confirms this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which is supposed to be" is a versatile relative clause used to convey expectations, intended purposes, or obligations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse fields such as news, academia, and science. While its function is to add non-essential information, it often highlights a contrast between expectation and reality. When writing, consider concise alternatives like "intended to be" or "should be" for brevity, but ensure clarity is maintained. Be mindful of overusing passive voice. In summary, "which is supposed to be" is a useful tool for conveying expectations and intended purposes in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is intended to be

Focuses on the intention or design behind something, rather than an explicit obligation.

that should be

Conveys a sense of correctness or expected state, simplifying the original phrase.

that ought to be

Implies a moral or logical obligation, adding a stronger sense of duty.

that is meant to be

Highlights the intended outcome or destiny of something, offering a more passive tone.

that is expected to be

Emphasizes anticipation or prediction, shifting the focus to future possibilities.

that is designed to be

Stresses the built-in purpose or functionality, useful in technical contexts.

that claims to be

Suggests a potential discrepancy between what something purports to be and what it actually is.

that purports to be

Implies skepticism regarding the authenticity or genuineness of something.

that is rumored to be

Indicates information based on hearsay or unconfirmed reports.

that allegedly is

Highlights potential doubt surrounding a claim or assertion, often used in legal or journalistic contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "which is supposed to be" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to describe an expectation or intended purpose. For example, "The meeting, "which is supposed to be" confidential, was leaked to the press."

What's a more concise alternative to "which is supposed to be"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "intended to be", "should be", or "meant to be" for brevity.

Is it always necessary to use "which is supposed to be", or can I omit it?

Sometimes, the phrase is essential for clarity; other times, it can be omitted without changing the meaning. For example, "The gift, "which is supposed to be" a surprise, was accidentally revealed" could be simplified to "The gift, meant to be a surprise, was accidentally revealed."

What is the difference between "which is supposed to be" and "that is supposed to be"?

"Which is supposed to be" introduces nonrestrictive (nonessential) information, while "that is supposed to be" introduces restrictive (essential) information. Use "which" with commas and "that" without commas.