ENGLISH
REFERENCE

supposedly

adv. sent.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //səˈpoʊzədɫi// UK //sʌpˈəʊzɪdli// sup·pos·ed·ly Informal

adv. used to say that something is believed to be true, but you are not sure if it really is. It often suggests you have some doubt about the claim.

adv. according to what is generally assumed or believed, though often implying skepticism or a lack of personal verification.


SIMPLE

The new restaurant is supposedly the best in town.

CONTEXTUAL

The flight was supposedly arriving at noon, but the board now shows a three-hour delay.

COMPLEX

The document was supposedly signed by the witness, yet forensic analysis of the ink suggests it was backdated by several months.

Synonyms
Origin

From supposed + -ly.

Usage

A sentence adverb that can appear at the beginning of a clause or between the subject and the main verb.

Pitfall

He is suppose to be here.He is supposedly here.Learners often confuse the adverb 'supposedly' with the adjective/participle 'supposed' in the phrase 'be supposed to'.

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