ENGLISH
REFERENCE

be supposed to be sth

fixed phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. you use this when something is expected or intended to be a certain way, even if it is not actually like that.

fixed phr.. a semi-auxiliary construction used to express expectation, obligation, or intended purpose; it often implies a contrast between the ideal state and the current reality.


SIMPLE

This movie is supposed to be very funny.

CONTEXTUAL

The new office building is supposed to be the tallest in the city when it is finished.

COMPLEX

Although the policy was supposed to be a temporary measure to stabilize the economy, it remained in place for over a decade.

Usage

always used in the passive form with the verb 'to be' and followed by an infinitive.

Teaching tip

focus on the 'expectation vs. reality' nuance; it is often used to express disappointment or to report what people say about something.

Pitfall

It suppose to be a secret.It is supposed to be a secret.the phrase requires the auxiliary verb 'be' and the past participle 'supposed' ending in -d.

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