Word
supposed
Phoneticssup·posed, stress on the second syllable
/səˈpoʊzd/
Definitions
01expected or required
B1 · Intermediate
v. used to say what someone should do because of a rule, a plan, or an expectation.
v. used in the passive 'be supposed to' to indicate an obligation, a social expectation, or a planned arrangement.
“You are supposed to show your ticket before you get on the train.”
“The interns were supposed to submit their weekly reports by Friday afternoon, but several of them missed the deadline due to the server outage.”
Usage
Always used with the verb 'to be' and followed by a 'to' infinitive.
Pitfall
I am suppose to go now.
I am supposed to go now.
Even in fast speech, the word must be written with the 'd' at the end because it is a past participle.
Antonyms
02claimed but not proven
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. believed to be true by some people, but perhaps not actually true.
adj. held to be true or existing on the basis of report or belief, often with an implication of doubt.
“The supposed expert didn't actually know how to fix the computer.”
“The supposed benefits of the new tax policy were heavily debated by economists, many of whom argued the data was misleading.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it describes.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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