Supposed To vs. Suppose To – Which is Correct?
“Supposed to” is the unequivocally correct phrase, used to express obligation, expectation, or what is generally believed. “Suppose to” is a widespread grammatical error, resulting from the omission of the essential past participle ending ‘-d’. Always use “supposed to” to ensure clarity, correctness, and to maintain your credibility in all forms of communication.
Supposed To or Suppose To – Which is Correct?
The phrase “suppose to” is a common and persistent misspelling of the grammatically correct “supposed to.” This error primarily stems from phonetic confusion; in casual speech, the ‘d’ sound at the end of “supposed” is often reduced or even dropped, leading many to mistakenly omit it in writing. However, “supposed to” functions as a fixed idiomatic verb phrase, and the ‘-ed’ ending is crucial because it marks the past participle form of the verb “suppose,” which is a mandatory component of this construction. Omitting the ‘d’ renders the phrase incorrect and ungrammatical.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supposed To | Idiomatic Verb Phrase | Expected, obligated, or assumed to be/do something. | You are supposed to submit the report by Friday. |
| Suppose To | Incorrect | A common grammatical error or misspelling. | (Incorrect) I was suppose to call you back. |
How to Use Supposed To
“Supposed to” is a highly versatile and common idiomatic verb phrase in English, used to convey several nuances of meaning. It always requires a form of the verb “to be” preceding it (e.g., am, is, are, was, were) and is followed by the base form of another verb (the infinitive without “to”).
Here are its primary uses:
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Obligation or Duty: It indicates what one is expected or required to do, similar to “should” or “ought to.”
Example 1: You are supposed to be at work by 9 AM.
-
Expectation or General Belief: It refers to what is generally believed, anticipated, or rumored to be true.
Example 2: The new restaurant is supposed to have excellent sushi.
-
Intention (often unfulfilled): It can express something that was planned or intended but did not happen.
Example 3: I was supposed to go to the gym yesterday, but I got too busy.
While often used in conversational contexts, “supposed to” is perfectly acceptable in both formal and informal writing to convey these meanings accurately.
What are the different forms of Supposed To?
The phrase “supposed to” itself remains constant. However, the auxiliary verb “to be” that precedes it will conjugate according to the subject and tense of the sentence.
- Present Tense: I am supposed to, You are supposed to, He/She/It is supposed to, We are supposed to, They are supposed to.
- Past Tense: I was supposed to, You were supposed to, He/She/It was supposed to, We were supposed to, They were supposed to.
- Future Tense (less common, often implies an unfulfilled past expectation): I will be supposed to (implies a future obligation), or used with modal verbs like “should” or “might” (e.g., “You should be supposed to…”).
- Perfect Tenses: I have been supposed to, He had been supposed to.
The key is that “supposed” always retains its ‘-ed’ ending as a past participle within this idiom.
Etymology of the word Supposed To
The verb “suppose” itself traces its roots back to Old French supposer, meaning “to place under, put forward as true.” This, in turn, derived from the Latin supponere, a combination of sub- (“under”) and ponere (“to place”). The idiomatic phrase “be supposed to” began to emerge in English in the late 17th century, gaining widespread use in the 18th century to express obligation, expectation, or assumption. This usage reflects the original sense of something being “laid down” or “assumed” as a requirement or a fact. The past participle “supposed” became fixed in this construction, indicating a state of being expected or obligated.
Related Concepts
The common confusion between “suppose to” and “supposed to” is a prime example of the importance of understanding past participles and fixed idiomatic phrases in English grammar. Many English idioms and phrasal verbs incorporate a past participle that might sound like a simple past tense verb but functions differently within the phrase. For instance, “used to” (as in “I used to live there”) follows a similar pattern, where the ‘d’ is crucial and often mistakenly dropped. In “supposed to,” “supposed” is not functioning as a simple past tense verb but as a past participle acting almost like an adjective modifying the state of being expected or obligated. Recognizing that “supposed to” is a complete, unalterable unit helps reinforce its correct spelling and usage, preventing errors that stem from misinterpreting the role of the ‘-ed’ ending.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “You’re supposed to be the one protecting the innocent, not harming them.” – From a popular fantasy novel.
- “The new regulations are supposed to prevent such incidents from happening again.” – A newspaper editorial.
- “I was supposed to meet my sister for lunch, but she had to cancel last minute.” – A character’s dialogue in a TV show.
- “According to the ancient prophecy, the chosen one is supposed to bear a unique mark.” – From a mythological text.
- “He’s supposed to be a genius, but he couldn’t even solve this simple riddle.” – A review of a film.
Supposed To Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Ought to | Used to indicate duty or correctness, often with a moral connotation. |
| Should | Used to indicate obligation, duty, or what is advisable. |
| Expected to | Anticipated or required to do something. |
| Meant to | Intended or destined to do something. |
| Required to | Obligated or compelled to do something by rule or necessity. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Why do people often say “suppose to” instead of “supposed to”?
The primary reason is phonetic. In rapid or casual speech, the ‘d’ sound at the end of “supposed” can be de-emphasized or even dropped, making it sound like “suppose to.” This auditory habit then often translates into a writing error.
Question 2: Is “supposed to” always followed by an infinitive verb?
Yes, “supposed to” is always followed by the base form of a verb (an infinitive without “to”), such as “supposed to go,” “supposed to be,” “supposed to do,” “supposed to finish.”
Question 3: Can “supposed to” be used in questions?
Absolutely. It’s very common to use “supposed to” in questions to inquire about obligations, expectations, or beliefs. For example: “Are you supposed to be here?” or “What am I supposed to do now?”
Conclusion
The distinction between “suppose to” and “supposed to” is a clear-cut case of grammatical correctness versus a common error. “Supposed to” is the only correct phrase, used to convey a sense of obligation, expectation, or what is generally believed. The missing ‘d’ in “suppose to” makes it ungrammatical and should be avoided in all written and formal spoken communication. Mastering this distinction enhances clarity and demonstrates attention to detail in your language use.
Pro Tip: To remember the correct form, always think of “supposed” as a past participle, similar to how “used” is a past participle in “used to.” The ‘d’ is essential for its meaning and grammatical structure. Consistently using “supposed to” will reinforce your professional reputation as a careful and competent communicator.
