Supposed To Or Suppose To
When learning English, one of the common areas of confusion is whether to use ‘supposed to’ or ‘suppose to.’ Although they sound quite similar in casual speech, only one of them is grammatically correct in most cases. The phrase ‘supposed to’ is widely used in both spoken and written English, especially when referring to expectations, duties, or obligations. Understanding the correct form and its usage can significantly improve communication clarity and fluency, especially for non-native speakers and students of English grammar.
Understanding ‘Supposed to’
What does ‘supposed to’ mean?
The phrase ‘supposed to’ is used to express an obligation, expectation, or something that is intended or expected to happen. It often refers to a rule, a plan, or a social norm. It is the past participle form of the verb ‘suppose’ and is usually followed by a base verb.
- Example: You aresupposed tosubmit the report by Friday.
- Example: She wassupposed tocall me last night.
In these examples, ‘supposed to’ conveys an expected or required action that may or may not have been fulfilled.
Grammatical structure
‘Supposed to’ is formed with the verb ‘be’ (am, is, are, was, were) followed by ‘supposed to’ and then a verb in its base form. This structure is fixed and helps indicate the subject’s responsibility or an assumed course of action.
- Iam supposed tomeet him at 6 p.m.
- Theywere supposed toarrive earlier.
It is important to match the correct form of ‘be’ with the subject and the verb tense.
Common Uses of ‘Supposed to’
To express obligation or duty
One of the most frequent uses of ‘supposed to’ is to indicate what someone is expected or required to do. This is common in everyday life and workplace communication.
- You’resupposed towear a seatbelt while driving.
- Students aresupposed tosubmit their homework on time.
To refer to plans or arrangements
Another usage is to refer to plans or scheduled events that are expected to occur, even if they do not actually happen.
- The concert issupposed tostart at 8 p.m.
- We weresupposed togo hiking, but it rained.
To indicate a commonly held belief
Sometimes ‘supposed to’ reflects general belief or hearsay, especially when the speaker is unsure or questioning the accuracy of the information.
- This movie issupposed tobe really scary.
- He’ssupposed tobe a great chef.
Understanding ‘Suppose to’
Is ‘suppose to’ ever correct?
In standard English grammar, ‘suppose to’ without the ‘d’ is almost always incorrect when used to express expectations or obligations. The confusion arises mainly from spoken language where the ‘d’ in ‘supposed to’ is often not pronounced clearly, leading many to believe the correct form is ‘suppose to.’
However, there are rare cases where ‘suppose to’ may be used correctly, such as when ‘suppose’ is functioning as a present tense verb and is not part of the fixed phrase ‘supposed to.’
- Isupposeyou’re right. (Here, ‘suppose’ means ‘assume’ or ‘believe.’)
But this is completely different in meaning from ‘supposed to.’
Why the confusion happens
Spoken English can sometimes mask grammatical correctness because of pronunciation habits. When someone says ‘I’m supposed to be there,’ it might sound like ‘I’m suppose to be there,’ especially when spoken quickly or informally. This leads many learners (and even native speakers) to mistakenly write ‘suppose to’ when ‘supposed to’ is intended.
Tips for Using ‘Supposed to’ Correctly
Listen for the silent ‘d’
Even though the ‘d’ in ‘supposed to’ may be silent or barely audible in speech, remember that it needs to be included in writing for the sentence to be grammatically correct.
Use the correct auxiliary verb
The verb ‘to be’ (am, is, are, was, were) must precede ‘supposed to.’ The form of ‘to be’ must agree with the subject of the sentence in number and tense.
- Heis supposed tofinish his project. (Correct)
- Theyare supposed toattend the meeting. (Correct)
Avoid informal contractions in writing
In casual conversation, it’s easy to slur phrases together, but in formal or written English, clarity is important. Always write out ‘supposed to’ fully to maintain professionalism and accuracy.
Examples of Correct Usage in Sentences
- Sheis supposed topick up the kids after school.
- Wewere supposed tomeet them at the airport.
- I’msupposed tostart my shift at 9 a.m.
- This restaurantis supposed tohave great reviews.
- Theyare supposed tobring their own laptops.
Understanding the difference between ‘supposed to’ and ‘suppose to’ is crucial for anyone aiming to speak and write English correctly. ‘Supposed to’ is the standard, grammatically accurate form used to express expectations, obligations, and assumptions. On the other hand, ‘suppose to’ is typically a mishearing or misspelling that should be avoided in writing. Paying attention to the structure, especially the use of the auxiliary verb ‘to be’ and the silent ‘d,’ can help you use this phrase correctly in various contexts. Mastery of these subtle distinctions can make your English sound more natural and professional, whether in daily conversation or formal communication.