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The Use of Suppose and Supposed To in English

One of the most common uses of suppose in English is with the meaning of 'imagine' or 'guess'. It is important to note that suppose is usually not used in the continuous form, and when used with the m

One of the most common uses of suppose in English is with the meaning of 'imagine' or 'guess'.

  • I suppose you'll be meeting Danielle when you go to Paris?
  • When you weren't there, I supposed you must have been held up.
  • I suppose you two know each other?

It is important to note that suppose is usually not used in the continuous form. We don't say 'I am supposing'.

  • Now I suppose we'll have to do something else.
  • We're waiting for John and I suppose he must be stuck in traffic.
  • At this moment I suppose it doesn't matter.

When using with the meaning of 'imagine not' or 'guess not', we make the word suppose negative, not the other verb.

  • I don't suppose you know where Mary is?
  • I don't suppose he'll do anything.
  • I don't suppose you have a Nokia phone charger here?

When we answer with suppose to an idea, we can use so to avoid repeating the idea that has already been mentioned.

  • Is Susan coming to this meeting? ~ I suppose so.

The expression supposed to be can be used with the meaning of it is said / believed.

  • The new James Bond movie is supposed to be excellent.
  • He is supposed to have been rude to Mark but I don't believe it.
  • It is supposed to be the best restaurant in town.

The expression supposed to be can also be used when we talk about something that is agreed, intended to be done or is expected. In this case, the meaning is close to should.

  • I'm supposed to get to work by 8.
  • John is supposed to turn off all the lights when he leaves.
  • I'm supposed to pay my rent on the first of the month.
  • It's not supposed to be here.

We often use supposed to for an action with the assumption that the latter will not happen.

  • I'm supposed to be there before 8 but I'm often late.
  • You were supposed to phone me.
  • I'm supposed to be getting on a plane to Tokyo at this very minute.

Not supposed to often means that something is not allowed or is forbidden.

  • You're not supposed to smoke in here.
  • I'm not supposed to tell you.
  • We're not supposed to use the Internet for personal reasons at work.

Suppose can also be used as a conjunction with the meaning of what if. In this case, often but not always, the verb that follows is in the past tense.

  • Suppose we take the earlier train to Munich? It would give us more time there.
  • Suppose we took the plane instead? That would give us even more time.
  • There's nobody in reception to let our visitors in. Suppose I sit there until somebody comes?
  • I'm going to ask him for a pay increase. ~ Suppose he said 'no'? What would you do?

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